With plenty of rest on the back end of the March international break to lean on, Arsenal get back underway as they host Fulham in Premier League action on Tuesday at Emirates Stadium.
Being out of the FA Cup already, the Gunners had a longer rest than some English clubs, including their opponents who were beaten handily by Crystal Palace 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the competition on Saturday.
The quick turnaround will not be something the Whites are used to, as they do not often find themselves competing on so many fronts that they are staring at three-day recharges.
STREAM: Watch Premier League matches, including Arsenal vs. Fulham, LIVE exclusively on Peacock in USA
Sitting just four points ahead of third-placed Nottingham Forest, Arsenal know they need to secure a few more results to feel truly comfortable in the top-five race — and to keep their title challenge mathematically alive for just a little longer.
Fulham, meanwhile, are still in the hunt for a European place themselves, sitting eighth on 45 points, just two back of Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion while three behind fifth-placed Manchester City.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.
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Arsenal vs. Fulham lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
It’s time for the long-awaited return of Bukayo Saka. Mikel Arteta confirmed on Monday that the winger was “ready to go” after three months out with a hamstring injury, although it may be that he starts on the bench given the Gunners will have one eye on the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid.
They’re still without long-term absentees Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while Riccardo Calafiori is out for a few weeks after suffering a painful-looking knee injury on international duty. Jurrien Timber is available again after illness.
Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli was forced to pull out of international duty, but the extra rest has seen him recover to be an option in this match. On the opposite wing, Arteta must choose between Leandro Trossard or Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly — Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Martinelli, Merino, Nwaneri
Injured: Jesus (ACL), Havertz (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), Calafiori (knee)
Suspended: None
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The absence of Harry Wilson and Reiss Nelson has hampered the Fulham attack, but otherwise they are fully fit up front aside from “some knocks” from the weekend.
Marco Silva has to choose between Raul Jimenez or Ricardo Muniz at the striker position, but usually the former starts while the latter comes in off the bench.
Kenny Tete has been absent for a number of months, leading Timothy Castagne to get a solid run in the side at right-back.
Former Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe has had a muted first season at Craven Cottage after joining last summer as the club’s record transfer, so his position in the starting lineup is up in the air. Silva said he and his staff had been working to improve the player’s fitness levels, adding: “We are working with him to have more impact in a consistent way.”
Fulham predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Leno (GK) — Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson — Berge, Lukic — Traore, Pereira, Iwobi — Jimenez
Injured: Wilson (foot), Tete (knee), Nelson (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Arsenal vs. Fulham live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | — | Peacock |
| Canada | — | Fubo Canada |
| UK | — | — |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Star Sports Select 2 | Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema |
