Arsenal return to action in the Premier League for the 2020/21 season as they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
The Gunners have had a pretty great past couple of months, winning the FA Cup and the Comminuity Shield but Mikel Arteta’s real test begins this weekend.
Arsenal have made some good signings this transfer window but the manager will be without a number of his first-team players meaning Fulham could try and put the pressure on the visiting side.
We really do not expect Arsenal to drop points at Craven Cottage this weekend but since this is the first game of the season, we might very well be in for a shocker.
Arsenal team news vs Fulham:
Emi Martinez is on the verge of moving out meaning it will be Bernd Leno who will reclaim his No 1 spot in the side this weekend.
David Luiz could be sidelined for up to six weeks after aggravating a neck injury in their Community Shield win over Liverpool while Sokratis and Calum Chambers are both ruled out of this match.
This means Holding will be partenered by Tierney in the three-man back line while new arrival William Saliba is also expected to start.
Magalhaes is also another option but we do not think the manager will be eager to name him in the starting line-up since he has been training with the first-team for only a week.
Dani Ceballos has returned on loan meaning the Spaniard will play in central midfield alongside Granit Xhaka.
Hector Bellerin should start as the right-wing back while young Bukayo Saka should play on the other side of the pitch.
Mesut Ozil has returned to training and some rumours had even claimed that the German could get a start vs Fulham. But we don’t think the Arsenal boss will be too keen to make this move.
Since this is the first game of the season, we think Mikel Arteta wil opt to use Eddie Nketiah up front in place of Lacazette while Aubameyang operates on the left flank. Nicolas Pepe had been really underwhelming last season and there’s very little doubt that it will be Willian who will play on the right wing.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Fulham:
Predicted Starting XI: Bernd Leno; William Saliba, Rob Holding, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka, Bukayo Saka, Bellerin; Aubameyang, Nketiah/Lacazette, Willian.
