Arsenal predicted XI vs Fulham: Who will replace suspended Takehiro Tomiyasu in defence?

Arsenal will be bidding to preserve their perfect start to the new Premier League campaign when they take on Fulham at the Emirates this weekend. So far the Gunners have amassed six points from their first two matches, and will know that they have a golden opportunity to maintain that 100% record against a Cottagers side who have endured a mixed opening fortnight.

Marco Silva’s men came racing out of the traps with a 1-0 win over Everton, but were humbled somewhat last weekend in a lacklustre 3-0 defeat to Brentford. For their part, Arsenal followed up on their curtain-raising 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest with a hardfought 1-0 triumph against Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

But how will Mikel Arteta set up his team when they play host to their London rivals on Saturday afternoon? We’ve taken a closer look at what we believe could be his most probable starting XI below...

Formation

Everything Arsenal do is characterised by a certain measure of tactical fluidity, but Arteta’s general preference is to set his team out in a 4-3-3 formation. Expect plenty of threat from wide areas, and an effort to overcrowd the centre of the park with the use of an inverted full-back who tucks into midfield when the Gunners are building the foundations of an attack.

Goalkeeper

While David Raya is still very much in the process of settling in at the Emirates, Aaron Ramsdale remains the first choice option between the sticks. The England international will have plenty of competition to fend off in the coming weeks and months, but for now at least, he is number one.

Defence

An interesting one here, with the Gunners already facing a bit of a selection headache at left-back. New signing Jurrien Timber sustained a long-term ACL injury on the opening weekend, and is likely to be absent for the entirety of his debut season in England. Speaking about the Dutchman recently, Arteta said: “Obviously for the team it’s a big blow because we recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident and he’s not going to be in this season for us. We have to adapt, these things happen unfortunately, and we have to move on.”

The manager’s solution to Timber’s unexpected absence against Palace on Monday evening was to include Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu on the left-side of his back four, but the 24-year-old was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in seven second-half minutes. With Arsenal unable to appeal the decision, Arteta could hand Oleksandr Zinchenko his first Premier League start of the season.

At the heart of defence, Ben White appears to have usurped Gabriel Magalhaes as William Saliba’s preferred partner, and at right-back, Thomas Partey should continue in a new hybrid role that allows him to advance into the centre of midfield when required.

Midfield

With no new injury or suspension concerns to report, Arteta is likely to continue with the same midfield trio that he has opted for in both of Arsenal’s top flight outings so far this term. Summer signing Declan Rice has settled with a satisfying rapidity, while fellow acquisition Kai Havertz is showing flashes of promise in a slightly more attacking role.

Martin Odegaard registered his first goal of the new campaign from the penalty spot at Selhurst Park on Monday, and will be integral to the Gunners’ creative prospects going forward.

Attack

Out wide, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli must be two of the first names on Arteta’s team sheet by this point, and the hope will be that they can continue to make good on their otherworldly potential over the coming months.

Through the middle, with Gabriel Jesus not expected back until at least September, Eddie Nketiah should persist as the Gunners’ go-to centre-forward option. The 24-year-old scored on the opening weekend, but missed a couple of gilded opportunities against Palace earlier in the week.

Full Predicted XI

Aaron Ramsdale; Thomas Partey, Ben White, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah.