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How Arsenal could line up against Fulham

August 24, 2023

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have to work around Takehiro Tomiyasu’s suspension for Saturday’s Premier League London derby against Fulham at the Emirates.

The Japanese full-back was sent off for two bookable offences in Monday’s win at Crystal Palace, firstly taking too long over a throw-in before a perceived foul on Jordan Ayew.

Tomiyasu had been introduced into a makeshift left-back role in place of Jurrien Timber – who is now on the long road to recovery from his ACL injury – but Gooners breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Oleksandr Zinchenko’s name on the teamsheet last week.

The Ukrainian has now fully recovered from a calf issue and should be given the nod at left-back, which in turn could benefit Gabriel Magalhaes’s chances of a recall alongside regular centre-back partner William Saliba.

Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale – still possessing the number one status despite David Raya’s arrival – may complete a familiar 2022-23 backline, as Monday’s man of the match Declan Rice aims to continue his positive start to life in red and white.

Thomas Partey – who has played a hybrid right-back role so far this term – may be sacrificed in the shake-up, as Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz join Rice in the engine room, while Mohamed Elneny (knee) and Albert Sambi Lokonga (muscle) are both in the treatment room.

Fulham-linked striker Folarin Balogun (foot) also remains out alongside knee surgery victim Gabriel Jesus, which surely means another start for Eddie Nketiah, who drew the foul for the game-winning penalty at Selhurst Park.

Leandro Trossard memorably set up three goals in the first half at Craven Cottage last season, but the Belgian’s chances of displacing Gabriel Martinelli or Bukayo Saka are slim.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

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