Pain in the Arsenal
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Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Fulham: Zinchenko makes first start

By James Cormack

Arsenal's Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko acknowledges supporters at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko acknowledges supporters at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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It’s been a productive start to the 2023/24 season for the Gunners, even if they haven’t looked anywhere near their best.

Nervy triumphs over Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace mean Arsenal are just one of three teams to boast a 100% record through two games, and they have a great chance of making it three on the spin on Saturday afternoon.

After somehow escaping Goodison Park with a point to open up their season, Fulham were thumped 3-0 by west London rivals Brentford last weekend. There are concerns over how the Cottagers will cope in the wake of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s departure, with some sceptics considering Marco Silva’s side for the drop.

Nevertheless, the visitors gave Arsenal a scare on their last visit, and the Gunners’ final third ‘struggles’ so far might render Saturday’s contest a relatively tight one.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Fulham

Here’s how Mikel Arteta could set his Arsenal side up against Fulham this weekend.

How will Mikel Arteta set his side up against Fulham on Saturday? (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
How will Mikel Arteta set his side up against Fulham on Saturday? (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – Rambo earned his first clean sheet of the season on Monday, although he wasn’t made to work too hard for it.

Ben White (RB) – It’s been a subdued start to the season for White, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A return to last season’s dynamics will see the defender operate at right-back on Saturday.

William Saliba (CB) – Imperious at Selhurst Park, Saliba’s a shoo-in.

Gabriel (CB) – Gabriel has been the surprise omission from Arteta’s starting XI so far, but the club’s dismissal of any transfer speculation suggests his benching has been purely tactical. I think he has to come back into the team this weekend.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – He’s back! After a lengthy layoff, Zinchenko made his first appearance since May on Monday night. Presuming he’s fully fit, Arsenal’s lack of left-back options means the Ukrainian should earn his first start and be granted the license to drift into midfield.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – Zinchenko’s return should see Partey perform a more familiar midfield role.

Declan Rice (CM) – A shift in dynamics could hinder Rice, who might be tasked with playing higher up the pitch despite his supremacy in a deeper position on Monday night. It’ll be interesting to see how he co-exists with both Partey and Zinchenko.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – The match-winner at Palace. Odegaard got his season up and running from the penalty spot. FPL users will be keeping a close eye on Arsenal’s penalty-taking situation should Odegaard emerge as the new number-one candidate.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – Saka’s duel with Tyrick Mitchell was an intriguing contest, with the Palace left-back performing well against the Arsenal star. Up next for Saka is Antonee Robinson; the speedy USMNT left-back who lacks the strength to compete with the 21-year-old.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – He may have missed a pair of golden chances last time out, but Eddie’s performance was otherwise impressive and he deserves to keep his place in the team.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – It was a quiet night for Martinelli last time out, but while Arteta has Leandro Trossard at his disposal, I suspect he’ll continue with the Brazilian against Fulham.