Per Mertesacker pays for Monaco horror show as Arsenal drop vice-captain

Mertesacker was due to captain Arsenal in the absence of Mikel Arteta but lost his place in Arsene Wenger’s starting XI to January signing Gabriel.

The German centre-back had a difficult game against Monaco in midweek and was responsible for Dimitar Berbatov’s goal in the 3-1 defeat.

Arsenal made one further change as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came in for Danny Welbeck.

Arsenal team: Ospina, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud. Subs: Szczesny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Chambers, Rosicky, Walcott, Welbeck.

Everton team: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Garbutt, McCarthy, Besic, Barry, Mirallas, Barkley, Lukaku. Subs: Joel, Gibson, Alcaraz, Osman, Lennon, Naismith, Kone.