James Tarkowski injury latest after missing Arsenal vs Everton

James Tarkowski misses a Premier League game for the first time this season (Action Images via Reuters)

James Tarkowski has been ruled out of Everton ’s Premier League match against Arsenal due to injury.

Tarkowski misses a Premier League game for the first time this season and with Jarrad Branthwaite also missing due to injury, David Moyes is playing Jake O’Brien and Michael Keane as his centre-back pairing against the Premier League leaders.

Moyes, however, was guarded about the extent of Tarkowski’s injury but insisted his Everton players have had enough time to prepare without the 33-year-old.

When asked about Tarkowski’s injury before kick-off, Moyes said: ‘I’m not sharing anything with you.

‘You can see it, we’re missing two centre-halves today, but we’ve also got two who have one really well for us.

‘We’re prepared, we prepared during the week, we’ve had time to do so, so it shouldn’t make too much difference hopefully.’

A win for Everton at the Emirates Stadium would see them leapfrog Brentford into sixth place in the Premier League.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have the chance to go 10 points clear at the top of the table before Manchester City ’s game away to West Ham on Saturday night.