Arsenal step onto the Craven Cottage pitch today with the opportunity to trim Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just four points. A victory in West London would close the gap ahead of the Reds, whose weekend clash with Everton was called off due to severe weather.
But Mikel Arteta’s preparations have been overshadowed by a defensive injury pile-up. Oleksandr Zinchenko is the latest casualty, joining Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines.
With five defenders unavailable, Thomas Partey is drafted in at right-back, while Jurrien Timber slots across to the left. Jakub Kiwior partners William Saliba at centre-back.
In midfield, Jorginho is handed a start alongside Declan Rice, with captain Martin Ødegaard aiming to extend his sparkling form since returning from injury last month.
Bukayo Saka, also in red-hot form, continues on the right flank, while Leandro Trossard gets the nod over Gabriel Martinelli on the left. Kai Havertz once again leads the Arsenal line.
For Fulham, Bernd Leno faces his old club from between the sticks. Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe both start against their former side, with Sander Berge marshalling midfield and Adama Traoré offering pace and threat from the wing.
Fulham XI: Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Adama, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez.
Subs: Benda, Castagne, King, Cuenca, Pereira, Sessegnon, Godo, Wilson, Muniz.
Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Trossard, Havertz.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Heaven, Merino, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Sterling, Jesus.