[Sami Mokbel] Arsenal are hoping key defender Gabriel Magalhães will be fit to return against Everton on Sunday. Gabriel has missed Arsenal’s last three games with a hamstring injury but is close to returning, despite not being risked in the 3-0 win over Monaco on Wednesday night.

Also:

• Partey’s future at Arsenal is uncertain with no significant progress made on a new contract and just 20 days until he can sign a deal elsewhere. The fact Arsenal are in the market to sign a midfielder, most likely in the summer, and have begun identifying targets indicates that Partey could leave the club at the end of the season - though Jorginho’s deal is also due to expire in July. Sources have indicated there is no major urgency at Arsenal to nail down Partey’s future despite his re-emergence this season.

• Recent Dan Ashworth links to the sporting director vacancy at Arsenal stem from his long standing relationship with the Gunners’ managing director Richard Garlick (worked together at West Brom and have remained close). This would certainly work in Ashworth’s favour should he have want a senior position at the Emirates.

• One of the main competitors in the race to replace Edu is Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe, who is leaving the Spanish club at the end of the season. Olabe is believed to be Arteta’s preference for the position (Olabe signed Arteta as player in 2004 during his spell as Real Sociedad manager.)