Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is sweating on the fitness of defenders Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori ahead of his side’s trip to Fulham on Sunday.
The Gunners will be searching for their fourth consecutive Premier League victory after overcoming Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Manchester United in their last three matches.
Gabriel was absent for Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over the Red Devils after being forced off against the Hammers four days earlier, with Calafiori also missing out after recently overcoming a knee issue.
In attack, Arteta will have to decide whether captain Martin Odegaard needs a rest, with the Norway international playing four matches in 12 days after recently returning from an ankle injury.
But if the player isn’t feeling any ill effects from his workload, he’ll feature from the outset after starring in recent weeks. And Express Sport takes a look at how the north Londoners could line up.
Arsenal’s predicted XI vs Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Raya
David Raya kept his eighth clean sheet of the season against United and has proven to be an immovable force in the Gunners goal at times this campaign. He will start again across the capital.
Defence: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
Arteta will be desperate for Gabriel to return to action, with the 26-year-old forming a solid partnership with William Saliba at the heart of the backline over the last two-and-half seasons. If the Brazilian is fit, he will be given the nod in the centre of defence alongside his regular colleague.
Calafiori featured against Forest and West Ham last month after overcoming his knee issue but wasn’t able to take to the pitch in midweek. He could feature at left-back if he recovers in time. And Jurrien Timber should keep his place on the opposite flank after finding the back of the net against Ruben Amorim’s team.
Midfield: Partey, Rice, Odegaard
Thomas Partey played the full 90 minutes in midweek after missing the West Ham clash as he halted United’s progress up the pitch alongside Declan Rice.
The two midfield dynamos will be called into action once again at Craven Cottage as they continue to impress for the Gunners.
If Odegaard feels his body will hold up after an intense couple of weeks, he will be straight on the team sheet, with Arsenal enjoying a resurgence in form since the creative genius returned to action.
Forwards: Saka, Odegaard, Havertz, Trossard
Further forward, Bukayo Saka will be given the licence to attack the Fulham defence at will down the right, while Leandro Trossard could return to the starting team on the left wing after Gabriel Martinelli was preferred to the former Brighton man in midweek.
Kai Havertz will lead the line after bagging nine goals in all competitions this season.