The Premier League return is finally upon us as make the short trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, but Arsenal do not start the season with a full squad of options.
We have as many as seven players confirmed as missing, predominantly in defence, although much of those out have been missing for a while.
Gabriel Martinelli is the only attacker who will miss out, having injured his knee around March time, and Emile Smith Rowe will not be in line to return to action having injured his shoulder in training this week.
Arsenal FC confirmed that we will be without five defenders, with David Luiz and Sokratis both joining long-term absentees Calum Chambers, Shkodran Mustafi and Pablo Mari on the sidelines.
The Brazilian’s neck injury is still being assessed, but Sokratis is expected to return to full training next week, although he is also linked with a possible move away from the club.
Fulham on the other hand have no injuries affecting his squad decisions.
Predicted Arsenal Line-up:
Leno
Saliba Holding Tierney
Maitland-Niles Xhaka Ceballos Saka
Pepe Lacazette Aubameyang
Without jumping to conclusions of a formation change, which I wouldn’t be surprised to see happen some time in the second half when Willian could well come off the bench to make his Arsenal debut, The defence more-or-less picks itself if you take into account the little time that new signing Gabriel Magalhaes has had to integrate into the squad.
While some could argue that Martinez deserves to hold onto his role in the first-team after his heroics last season and in the Community Shield, The Guardian states that he is not part of the squad for today’s fixture, supposedly as he looks to secure a move away from the club.
Will Willian get the nod to start over Pepe? Do the injuries in defence make a formation change more likely?
Patrick
I would imagine the wing backs would be the same those who started recent competitive games: Bellerin and AMN on the right and left respectively.
Agree with the rest.
Opening day, ladies and gents. Get your fridges stocked.
Finally, the wait is over…. it’s MATCH DAY!!!! 🙂 COYG
👍👍
Can’t wait Sue
So happy to get the English football back. Hope Arsenal make me more happier with a win.
It is difficult to always predict Arteta’s line up.
Any team he picks up should give us a victory.
Few hours to go, I just can’t wait!!
If Niles starts, it will be at LWB.
Why no Martinez…
This line up will be very different from the one that’ll end the season.
Let’s get a big win if we can, I trust Arteta, he’s not the type to underrate teams like Fulham.
P.S: Do you know the next biggest worry and the next scapegoat Arsenal fans are waiting to pounce on next?
I know you don’t, but it’s Bernd Leno.
Watch Shameless Arsenal fans turn against him and face him the moment he concedes a goal or makes one mistake.
RPGs incoming!!
I hope Leno develops Xhaka’s thick skin and ignore the toxic fans that’ll rise up against him
👍
Most fans appreciate Leno, it’s unlikely anyone would turn on him, well unless his performances drop drastically. If Martinez isn’t interested in fighting for his place, we can’t keep him, and I bet most fans understand that.
So…. Auba hattrick today? 🤔😀
Just nailed it Eddie,
With the Martinez deserved starting post because of 9 games over someone who almost single handedly kept us above relegation you will expect C4 will placed around is footsteps also
Arteta has options, i like this
Leno
Bellerin Saliba – Holding Tierney
…………………..NIles xhaka
….Nelson…………………….. ….Saka
Auba Laca
Not cool to say but injuries can allow coach to see what his first choice in defense should be when he has all players fit later. Im confident with such team. Be tempted to add Willian in or at 65mn for laca
………………Willian
Nelson…Auba…….Saka
Looks pretty good. Why Nelson? He defends as opposef to Pepe, fulham are hear to give us a physical and tuff game, they want 3 points, on at least be good for them. Need a strong team
I think the next biggest worry and the next scapegoat arsenal fans are waiting to pounce on is Auba when his form goes down after he signs a new deal
4-2-3-1 with Willian at 10.
Arteta planning to deploy Willian as CAM. 1st half pretty much similar to as mentioned above. 2nd half might bring William with formation change. May be 4231., Like
Leno Belerin Saliba Holding Tierney
Xhaka Ceballos
Pepe William Auba
Laca
Happy with that line up 👍
i think willian will start … midfield still the weak spot
7-1 to Arsenal
For betters