Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang misses out again while Nicolas Pepe should make way for Gabriel Martinelli when Arsenal take on Fulham on Sunday.
Arsenal will be aiming to make it three wins in three games across all competitions when they face off against London rivals Fulham at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Heading into the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has no fresh injury issues to contend with. However, he will once again have to make do without captain and star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is recovering from malaria. Speaking on his conditition ahead of the game, Arteta said, “He had some rough days, he was in hospital for two days but now he is at home, he is safe and he is in good condition and ready to come back.”
However, as per the latest update on the club’s official website, Aubameyang will not be available for Sunday’s game. Along with him, Martin Odegaard has also failed to recover from his injury and misses out as a result. David Luiz and Kieran Tierney are also ruled out for the home team.
There will be a few changes made to the side that decimated Slavia Prague in the UEFA Europa League earlier in the week. No changes are expected between the sticks, though, with Bernd Leno the undisputed starter in goal for Arsenal. Considering how well Rob Holding and Pablo Mari have done of late, they should continue as the centre-backs, with Gabriel Magalhaes on the bench yet again.
Calum Chambers has been mighty impressive at right-back in the last couple of matches. However, considering that he has recently returned from an injury, Arteta should opt to give him a breather against Fulham and Hector Bellerin a start. At left-back, Granit Xhaka has done very well in the last couple of matches and should get another go this weekend.
With Xhaka starting in defence for a third successive game, Dani Ceballos should once again slot in alongside Thomas Partey in the midfield double pivot for Arsenal. Emile Smith Rowe, who was brilliant on his return from injury in midweek, will continue as the No. 10 for the Gunners.
Bukayo Saka was another of Arsenal’s standout performers against Slavia Prague and on current form, is a certain starter out on the right flank. There should be a change out wide on the left, however, with Gabriel Martinelli getting another chance to impress ahead of Nicolas Pepe, who started in midweek. Finally, Alexandre Lacazette, who has scored four goals in the last two games, should start as the lone striker.
Arsenal Predicted XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Xhaka; Partey, Ceballos; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Lacazette