Arsenal predicted XI vs. Fulham: Possible starting lineup as Mikel Arteta faces Bukayo Saka decision

Arsenal predicted XI vs. Fulham: Possible starting lineup as Mikel Arteta faces Bukayo Saka decision

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must weigh up whether to throw Bukayo Saka straight into the starting XI against Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday.

The winger has not featured for the Gunners since suffering a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace on December 21, but he has returned to training.

Saka may have to settle for a place on the bench, and that could mean that Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri are set to flank makeshift centre-forward Mikel Merino.

Gabriel Martinelli could also come into contention for a starting spot on the left instead of Trossard, but his form has been mixed this campaign.

In midfield, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are certain to be stationed in the middle of the pitch, while Thomas Partey is likely to anchor the team in the number six position.

Elsewhere, Myles Lewis-Skelly can be expected to continue at left-back given Riccardo Calafiori’s knee injury may keep him from the pitch until the middle of April.

Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is also unavailable, so perhaps Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will fill in the rest of Arteta’s back four.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard