When Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fills out his team sheet against Fulham, it will be pretty self-explanatory, given the list of injuries, suspensions and want-away players in his squad. Look for Eddie Nketiah to lead the line, supported by an attacking midfield of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are of course undroppable (yes, spell check, we know this isn’t an actual word) in defensive midfield.
Fulham at Arsenal FYIs
Kickoff: Sat. August 26, 3pm, Emirates Stadium, London, UK
Arsenal Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Arsenal 79% Fulham 8% Draw 18%
PL Form, Position: Arsenal WW, 6 pts, 3rd Fulham LW, 3 pts, 13th
Then things get interesting in the back line. Thomas Partey stays at right back? Obviously he has been moved position groups.
With the Ukrainian Zinchenko back in the mix, plus William Saliba not to be dropped for any important game, what happens with the center backs?
Who is the fourth defender, and who is odd man out- Gabriel Magalhaes or Ben White?
Hmmmmm. Puzzling. Have a go at it yourself in the comments section. Here’s our best guess.
Arsenal Starting XI Prediction vs Fulham FC
Aaron Ramsdale; Thomas Partey, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchrenko; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard; Kai Havertz Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli; Eddie Nketiah
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.