Everton will be hoping that many of their injury concerns will come to an end as the Christmas games schedule progresses.
After a good start to the season, several trends on Toffees momentum have been studied but it is starting to rise again.
Carlo Ancelotti’s work in those games has not been helped by a number of injuries to the first-team key players but his side have managed impressive back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Leicester – both sides with European ambitions.
Unfortunately, another Blues star was hit with an injury when Alan was put on a climber at the King Power.
Here are a number of Toffees fitness states ahead of the game against Arsenal.
Allan
Allan pulled back when Leicester beat the Blues on the rebound and had to be replaced by Andre Gomes.
The 29-year-old had picked up where he left off against Chelsea and was instrumental in helping Everton maintain their 1-0 lead at King Power.
Alan is now under a long spell on his elbow but Ancelotti was unable to say how long he was going to be out.
Everton will face Arsenal at Goodison on Saturday before the Carabao Cup quarter-final with Manchester United on Wednesday and a Boxing Day trip to Sheffield United.
Manchester City visit Goodison before December is out.
James Rodriguez
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed ahead of Leiecester that Rodriguez had started a personal rematch so he would not be back in time for the trip to face Brendan Rodger ‘s side.
He could return for Arsenal or the EFL cup affair with Manchester United, however.
The manager said: “[Rodriguez] individual training sessions began yesterday. Like I said, we have to examine it from day to day.
“[His injury is] it’s not a big deal. When he starts training with the team, it means he will be able to play.
“We have to look at it for next Saturday or Wednesday.”
Lucas Digne
Luvert Digne, an Everton left-back, was sidelined with ankle ligament damage in late November.
The French international is expected to be out for about two months after undergoing surgery on the issue.
Digne has been keeping himself healthy in the meantime.
Seamus Coleman
Everton captain Seamus Coleman sat out of the tour to Southampton and Newcastle with a leg injury, but returned in time to face Manchester United before the international break.
But the defender suffered the injury again while on international work with Ireland.
He has missed the games with Fulham, Leeds, Burnley, Chelsea and Leicester ever since.
Jean-Philippe Gbamin
The 2019 summer signing has reversed his pace after suffering bad luck with injuries since moving from Mainz 12 months ago.
Gbamin is expected to start work with the Everton squad shortly after he starts running again.
The 24-year-old had just played 135 minutes of activity when he picked up an injury in training in August.
He had just returned and suffered another complication in February after needing surgery on his quadriceps tendon.
Fortune struck hard again when Gbamin suffered an Achilles injury in training.
Ancelotti was also asked about waiting for Jean-Philippe Gbamin on the long road to recover from an injury.
He said: “I’m waiting too! Honestly. The player is really keen to come. We had a chat with him with the doctor. We can start looking for him next year. We are the hopefully it can be a different year.
“He had a lot of problems and suffered a lot. We all hope that 2021 will be a great one for him.”
Ancelotti said Gbamin is unlikely to play in December, but said: “The important thing is to start training with the team.”