Team News
Arsenal vrs Fulham
Premier League Match Day 03 23/24 at Emirates Stadium
Saturday 26th August 2023 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Paul Tierney (Lancashire)
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Fulham can empathise when it comes to defensive suspensions, as Ream was also given his marching orders after receiving two cautions in the loss to Brentford, opening the door for Calvin Bassey to start alongside Issa Diop as the ostracised Tosin Adarabioyo attempts to secure a move away.
Ream aside, however, Fulham have no other serious selection concerns for Saturday's game, having welcomed integral midfielder Joao Palhinha back from a shoulder injury against Brentford, and the Portugal international will certainly come straight back into the side if fit enough.
Both Willian and Bernd Leno may reunite with their former employers this week, but only the latter is guaranteed a place in the squad - Willian has emerged as a doubt due to an unspecified concern - while Adama Traore will also be considered for his full Premier League debut for Fulham after a late cameo last weekend.
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Traore, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; Jimenez
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Owing to his red card for two bookable offences in the win over Palace, Arsenal full-back Tomiyasu will sit this London derby out through suspension, joining the man he replaced - ACL victim Jurrien Timber - on the absentee list.
However, on an extremely positive note, Gabriel Jesus is back in full training following his knee injury and is "ready to go" according to Arteta, while Folarin Balogun is on the verge of a potentially club-record sale to Monaco. Midfield duo Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny remain in the infirmary.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is also back to full fitness after coming off the bench against Palace and ought to be a straight swap for Tomiyasu on the left-hand side, where Kieran Tierney still cannot get a look-in and is now set for a surprise loan switch to Real Sociedad.
Arsenal
possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
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Source Ben Knapton at Sports Mole