Zinchenko drop,Tomoyasu returns, Youngster to make His debut today’: 4-3-3 Arsenal Predicted XI v Fulham today as Arteta Men set to return back to winning ways
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could ring the changes for this afternoon’s trip to Fulham. The Gunners have picked up just four points from their last four Premier League games and need to return to winning ways today. Express Sport looks at how Arteta may line up at Craven Cottage.
Goalkeeper – Raya
David Raya will continue in goal despite not keeping an away league clean sheet since the end of September. Arteta would be admitting defeat if he decided to drop the Spaniard in favour of Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal are reluctant to let Ramsdale leave in January. They would have to replace the England international if he were to go, with Newcastle among the clubs interested.
Defence – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior
With Takehiro Tomiyasu still out injured, there aren’t many changes Arteta can make at the back. The Japan star will also be on his way to the Asia Cup shortly if fit enough.
Jakub Kiwior is in with a shot of making an appearance and could come in at left-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko has received criticism of late and was dragged off early in the defeat to West Ham.
There are no alternatives to William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence. Arteta needs the pair at their best today against Raul Jimenez, who returns from a three-match suspension.
Midfield – Rice, Odegaard, Havertz
Kai Havertz is back from suspension and he will come straight back into the midfield. The German was missed against West Ham, which shows how far he has come in recent weeks.
Leandro Trossard didn’t work as the left-sided No 8 in midweek and he could drop back to the bench. Martin Odegaard was at the heart of everything good on Thursday and will be hoping his work doesn’t go unrewarded again today.
Declan Rice had one of his poorest games in an Arsenal shirt against his old club. He will be determined to put that right, with Jorginho again missing out on a starting place.
Attack – Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Gabriel Jesus missed a couple of great chances last time out and could be set for a game out of the side. Eddie Nketiah hasn’t started a league match since early November but is in line for a recall.
The England international is more of a box striker than Jesus and could be what Arsenal have been missing in the final third. He has scored two more goals than Jesus in the league this season despite playing fewer minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli has been far from his best of late. It could be a shootout between him and Trossard on the left, with Bukayo Saka aiming to score or assist after four league matches without registering a goal contribution.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Fulham: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
