Arsenal will be hoping to go six points clear at the top of the Premier League when they host Fulham on Saturday at 5:30pm.
The Gunners have the benefit of playing two days before title rivals Manchester City, so can put the pressure on as things look set to go down to the wire.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Fulham
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Mikel Arteta’s side returned to winning ways in the Premier League last time out, beating Newcastle United at the Emirates. They then travelled to Madrid and got a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Arsenal team news vs Fulham
Arteta has a bit of a dilemma. He has a title race to try to win, as well as a Champions League semi-final. He will likely have one eye on Tuesday’s second leg when considering his team against Fulham.
But he has seen his side struggle when rotated in recent times. Arteta does know that he’ll be without Kai Havertz this weekend, after the German’s injury against Newcastle. Eberechi Eze made the bench in midweek, but he could start here to offer a bit of rotation to the attacking line. Bukayo Saka may also return to the starting XI, to gain more match fitness ahead of the Champions League.
But with Havertz out and Gabriel Jesus not favoured, Viktor Gyokeres is the only option through the middle. Gabriel Martinelli is likely to drop down to the bench for Eze, while Leandro Trossard has also struggled for gametime.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Jurrien Timber is another confirmed absentee. Ben White started at right-back in midweek, but Cristhian Mosquera may come in for rotation, to keep the Englishman’s legs fresh. It may also be the case on the left, with Riccardo Calafiori and potential to replace Piero Hincapie.
The rest of the defence should remain the same, with Gabriel and William Saliba ahead of David Raya.
Arteta may opt to stick with the same midfield as the trio who started against Atletico Madrid. Martin Zubimendi lined up alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, which is certainly Arteta’s favoured midfield three. And with the lack of game time elsewhere in the squad, Arsenal cannot afford any passengers in such a crucial week.
Fortress Emirates
If Arsenal do go on to win the league, they’ll look back on their form at the Emirates this season. The Gunners have conceded just 11 goals in their 17 home games so far, conceded more than once in a match on just two occasions.
One of those occasions was recent, but Arsenal look to have put that poor run behind them. At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal have only failed to score in just one of their 17 home league games. And that was a tough game against Liverpool at the start of 2026.
Fulham hate the Emirates too, which bodes well for this weekend. In fact, they just hate playing Arsenal away from home in general. Arsenal are unbeaten in 32 home league games against Fulham, winning 25 and drawing seven. It’s the most any side has faced another without losing in English Football League history. That’s right, it’s not even a Premier League era stat.
Arsenal have also lost just one of their last 15 league games against Fulham, a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage in December 2023. This bodes well for Arsenal, and they’ll hope their defence can carry them six points clear at the top of the table with three games to play.