Arsenal will be looking to extend their remarkable winning run when they travel to West London to face Fulham tomorrow afternoon. The Gunners are coming on the back of an eight-game winning streak in all competitions with their last defeat coming against Chelsea back in August.
Fulham, on the other hand, have had a disappointing start to the campaign with just five points in seven matches, leaving them only two points ahead of relegation-threatened Huddersfield. However, Slavisa Jokanovic’s men will be more than content with securing just one point against an in-form Arsenal.
Team news
Arsenal will be boosted by the return of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who didn’t make the trip to Azerbaijan in midweek due to illness. The club, however, has confirmed that he will be available for selection this weekend. Same goes for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who didn’t travel for the midweek game due to personal/political reasons but is fit to start against Fulham.
Aaron Ramsey is understood to be available too after missing out in the game against Qarabag. However, fans may not be happy with his inclusion in the starting lineup, especially with a January exit reportedly brewing. Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny and Konstantinos Mavrapanos are the players who are currently sidelined with injuries.
Defence
With Petr Cech ruled out for four weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in the win over Watford, Bernd Leno will once again deputise for the veteran keeper in between the sticks for Arsenal.
We can also expect a lot of rotation in defence, with Hector Bellerin and Shkodran Mustafi coming into the side at the expense of Stephan Lichtsteiner and Rob Holding. Monreal will start as the left-back.
Sokratis, on the other hand, was one of Arsenal’s best performers in the win over Qarabag in the midweek, scoring the opener while making the most number of tackles on the pitch. He will hope to maintain his form against Fulham.
Midfield
After appearing as a halftime sub against Qarabag, Lucas Torreira will be starting in midfield, alongside Granit Xhaka, who will return to the starting lineup, after being left out of the eleven in midweek.
Torreira’s excellent work-ethic could prove to be important against Fulham, who possess a strong midfield while Xhaka will look to compliment the Uruguayan international with his finesse in the middle third of the pitch.
Attack
Henrikh Mkhitaryan will replace Emile Smith-Rowe on the right-hand side of the attack after being rested in the win over Qarabag. He will be partnered by Mesut Ozil and an in-form Alex Iwobi in the final third, just in-behind central striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Aubameyang, on the other hand, is unlikely to be given a starting berth this weekend, so soon after returning to full fitness. However, he will certainly play a part.
LENO
BELLERIN- MUSTAFI- SOKRATIS- MONREAL
TORREIRA- XHAKA
MKHITARYAN- OZIL- IWOBI
LACAZETTE
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
