Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have announced a new injury setback, with Oleksandr Zinchenko ruled out of their Premier League clash against Fulham. The Ukrainian defender, who played in the Gunners’ 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday, has returned to the treatment table after suffering another injury blow.
The 27-year-old has endured a challenging season with recurring fitness issues, despite showing encouraging form in recent matches. Arsenal confirmed his absence in a statement released an hour before kickoff at Craven Cottage.
Zinchenko’s absence adds to Arsenal’s growing list of defensive concerns. Key defenders Gabriel Magalhães and Riccardo Calafiori are also unavailable. Gabriel suffered a head injury during the match against West Ham at the London Stadium and missed the midweek win over Manchester United. Meanwhile, Calafiori remains sidelined with a knee injury.
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Manager Mikel Arteta has made two changes to the team that triumphed over Manchester United. With Zinchenko out, Jorginho is brought into the lineup, prompting a reshuffle in defence. Thomas Partey starts at right-back, with Jurrien Timber moving to left-back. In attack, Leandro Trossard replaces Gabriel Martinelli, who drops to the bench.
Oleksandr Zinchenko injury
Oleksandr Zinchenko has been ruled out of the Fulham clash with an injury (Image credit: Getty Images)
Club captain Martin Ødegaard, celebrating his 100th game as skipper in the same week he became a father, leads the team. The bench sees one notable change, with Myles Lewis-Skelly returning from injury to take his place as Zinchenko misses out entirely.
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Fulham’s starting XI features three former Arsenal players: Bernd Leno, Alex Iwobi, and Emile Smith Rowe. However, Reiss Nelson, currently on loan from Arsenal, is ineligible to face his parent club.
Arsenal Starting XI: Raya, Partey, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Jorginho, Rice, Ødegaard (c), Saka, Trossard, Havertz. Substitutes: Neto, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Heaven, Merino, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Sterling, Jesus.
Fulham Starting XI: Leno, Tete, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic, Diop, Berge, Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Jiménez, Adama. Substitutes: Benda, Wilson, Cuenca, Godo, Sessegnon, Castagne, Pereira, King, Muniz.
The Gunners will aim to close the gap in the title race with a victory at Craven Cottage while navigating these key absences.
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