At 3 p.m. on Saturday, the Gunners will host Fulham in the Premier League.
When Arsenal plays Fulham this weekend at the Emirates, they’ll be trying to keep their unblemished start to the new Premier League season. The Gunners have six points after two games so far, and they will be aware that they have a great chance to keep their perfect record against a Cottagers team that has had a mixed first fortnight.
The 1-0 victory over Everton by Marco Silva’s team got them off to a fast start, but last weekend’s lackluster 3-0 loss to Brentford left them feeling somewhat humbled. Arsenal, meanwhile, won a spirited match against Crystal Palace on Monday night to follow up their season-opening 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.
We’ve taken a closer look at what we think may be Mikel Arteta’s most likely starting XI below, but how will he line up his team when they host their London rivals on Saturday afternoon?
Arsenal formation.
Despite the tactical fluidity that permeates everything Arsenal does, Arteta prefers to deploy his team in a 4-3-3 formation. When the Gunners are laying the groundwork for an attack, expect plenty of threat from wide areas as well as an effort to clog the middle of the field with the use of an inverted full-back who tucks into midfield.
Goalkeeper.
Aaron Ramsdale continues to be the first choice between the sticks even though David Raya is still very much in the process of settling in at the Emirates. The England international will face a lot of opposition in the upcoming weeks and months, but for the time being, he holds the top spot.
Defence.
With the Gunners already having some difficulty choosing a left-back, this one is interesting. On the first weekend, new signing Jurrien Timber suffered a serious ACL injury and is most likely going to miss the entirety of his first English season. Recent comments made by Arteta regarding the Dutchman include: “Obviously for the team it’s a big blow because we recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident. He won’t be in this season for us. These things unfortunately happen, so we must adjust and move on. “.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, a 24-year-old Japanese international, was included on the left side of the manager’s back four against Palace on Monday night as a temporary replacement for Timber, who unexpectedly missed the game due to injury. However, the 24-year-old was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in seven second-half minutes. Oleksandr Zinchenko may receive his first Premier League start of the season if Arsenal is unable to appeal the ruling.
Ben White seems to have replaced Gabriel Magalhaes as William Saliba’s preferred partner at the heart of the defense, and Thomas Partey should keep playing right back in a new hybrid position that enables him to move into the center of midfield when necessary.
Midfield.
With no fresh injury or suspension worries to report, Arteta is likely to stick with the same midfield trio that he has used in both of Arsenal’s Premier League games so far this season. Declan Rice, a summer signing, has adapted admirably quickly, and Kai Havertz, a fellow acquisition, is displaying some promise in a slightly more attacking role.
On Monday at Selhurst Park, Martin Odegaard scored his first goal of the new season from the penalty spot, and he will be crucial to the Gunners’ future creative prospects.
Attack.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who play wide, must be two of the first names on Arteta’s team sheet at this point, and it is hoped that they can build on their extraordinary potential over the upcoming months.
With Gabriel Jesus not anticipated to return until at least September, Eddie Nketiah should continue to serve as the Arsenal’s primary center-forward option. The 24-year-old scored on the opening weekend but missed a few golden opportunities against Palace earlier in the week.
Complete predicted XI.
Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Thomas Partey, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Eddie Nketiah.
For more updates, we are at your service all day long and all night long.
