Today (Saturday) afternoon, Arsenal plays Fulham in the Premier League, and manager Mikel Arteta has Gabriel Jesus available for selection following an injury.
Gabriel Jesus is once again available for selection, but it might not be as easy for him to make the Arsenal matchday squad against Fulham.
After undergoing a minor knee procedure, the 26-year-old is now fully healthy, and Mikel Arteta did not completely rule out the possibility that the Brazilian would make his season debut this afternoon (Saturday): “I was really happy. He had to undergo another surgery after the preseason, which was a major setback for him, according to the Gunners manager. He appears very sharp. He worked out hard the entire week. He is prepared to leave. “.
When pressed further about Jesus’ readiness, the Spaniard reiterated that he is ready to play before responding with the two-word phrase “we’ll see” when asked if Arsenal supporters might see the striker start against the Cottagers.
Given those remarks and the fact that Arteta must select a 20-man Premier League matchday squad for the London derby at the Emirates Stadium, it’s safe to assume Jesus’ name will be on the list; however, whether that be among the starting XI or the substitutes bench is still up in the air.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, who was dismissed for two bookable offenses against Crystal Palace on Monday night, isn’t available for selection, so it might just be a straight swap. Nevertheless, given the manager of the Gunners’ recent decisions, this would be a risky move.
Arteta put three defenders on the bench for the games against Palace and Nottingham Forest. The Spanish tactician must now decide whether to stick with the trend or take a chance with an extra attacker given that Jurrien Timber is injured, Tomiyasu is suspended, and a few senior players are out of favor.
If he chooses the former, Rob Holding might be called up for the first time this season or wonderkid Reuell Walters might get a call-up to increase the defensive options. In this case, one of Arsenal’s forward players would be in danger of being substituted in favor of Jesus.
Folarin Balogun and Kieran Tierney will undoubtedly be among the 12 first-team stars who will not play against Fulham if their transfers to AS Monaco and Real Sociedad, respectively, are not finalized before 2 p.m. today, according to the club’s official website, which lists 32 senior players for the Gunners.
Goalkeepers Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo are probably not needed, and the only other players who won’t be playing are Timber and Tomiyasu (due to injuries and suspensions, respectively) and Mohamed Elneny, who isn’t expected to play until at least next month.
It would be surprising if Nicolas Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares, and Albert Sambi Lokonga were included if this were the case because they are senior players who the club is open to offers for before the summer transfer window closes next week.
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