Arsenal will be without four first-team regulars when they host Fulham this afternoon.
David Luiz and Kieran Tierney remain sidelined, although the former has begun to run after a small procedure to his knee. Neither is expected to play again in April.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will also miss out as he continues to recover from Malaria, having had to stay over at hospital this week.
Martin Odegaard is also confirmed as missing still. The Norwegian returned from international duty with discomfort in his ankle, and is yet to recover. Arsenal.com confirmed that they hope he will back in light training next week.
Predicted Arsenal XI:
Leno
Bellerin Holding Gabriel Cedric
Partey Xhaka
Pepe Smith Rowe Martinelli
Lacazette
It’s quite the task to try and predict Arteta’s thinking ahead of our clash with Fulham today. Xhaka could well be continued at left-back, as could Chambers at right-back, but I imagine the latter will at least will get some rest after playing consecutive matches.
Bukayo Saka could also be in line for a rest with Nicolas Pepe’s return to form, meaning Willian or Martinelli will likely come into the starting line-up today at the Emirates.
This team should have more than enough to claim all three points against Fulham, and I hope Arteta agrees that Martinelli is deserving of more minutes from the start today.
Will Arteta be looking to rest some players today? Who else do you expect will make the starting line-up?
Patrick
We should still beat them
Hopefully
My preferred line up –
Lacazette.
Martinelli. Smith-Rowe. Pepe.
Xhaka. Elneny.
Cedric. Gabriel. Holding. Bellerin.
Leno.
Laca
Martinelli. Rowe. Saka
Xhaka. Party
Cedric. Gabriel. Holding. Chembers
Leno
Let’s hopefully not sod around with the defence today, just leave it as is, also give Martinelli a run out instead of Saka, but I don’t want to see Pepé on the right!
Lets keep the defence the same. We should be able to have enough of the ball that Xhaka shouldn’t be too troubled if he is chosen as LB again.
I definitely want to see Mari included and Bellerin excluded.
If we are up by 2 or more goals I’d love to see Azeez get some minutes….our fringe youngsters have had very little game time due to us being horrific in the knock out comps.
start leno,holding and mari,bela,shaka,pepe, nelson,laca ana martineli
My lineup,laca ,martinei,pep,ERS,xaka,elhen,chamber,holding,gabriel soar and leno