Arsenal faces a challenging London derby against Fulham this weekend at Craven Cottage, complicated by potential absences of key players. Manager Mikel Arteta is dealing with several injury concerns following the international break. Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Jesus are among the players potentially sidelined for the Gunners. Fulham, meanwhile, hopes to capitalize on Arsenal’s injury woes and secure a home victory.
Arsenal faces injury concerns ahead of Fulham clash
Arsenal enters the match against Fulham following a confident 2-0 victory over West Ham United. That win propelled them to the top of the Premier League table before the international break. However, Mikel Arteta is now contending with several key players potentially sidelined due to injuries.
Six players are confirmed to be out of the match. Meanwhile, two more are in doubt. This could significantly impact Mikel Arteta’s lineup and tactical options for the London derby.
Martin Odegaard ruled out until after November break
Norway international Martin Odegaard is currently nursing a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. He sustained it during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham United. As a result, the Arsenal captain is expected to be out until after the mid-November break.
That timeline rules Martin Ødegaard out of matches against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Sunderland. The injury is a blow for Arsenal, who will miss his creative influence in midfield.
Bukayo Saka admits to not being at his sharpest
England international Bukayo Saka recently returned from a hamstring injury. He admitted that he may not be at his sharpest for the game against Fulham. However, he is likely to start Arsenal’s next league match.
“I’m still not at my sharpest,” Bukayo Saka added. “But I’m starting to feel good again and I’ve scored in my last three games, so I’m happy with that and want to continue in that way.”
Meanwhile, Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié is nearing full fitness after missing several weeks with a groin strain. He is expected to be available for selection against Fulham, providing much-needed cover.
Fulham seeks to exploit Arsenal’s injury situation
Fulham, who is unbeaten at home, will pose a stern test for Arsenal. They have secured victories over Leeds United and Brentford at Craven Cottage. However, Fulham’s form has been mixed, with successive away defeats at Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Fulham’s manager Marco Silva will also face selection dilemmas ahead of the clash. Both teams are looking to bounce back from the international break with a strong performance in the Premier League.
The upcoming match against Fulham presents a test of Arsenal’s squad depth and resilience. With key players potentially missing, Mikel Arteta must find solutions to maintain their Premier League title challenge. The availability of Bukayo Saka and the return of Piero Hincapié offer some relief, but Fulham will be eager to exploit any weaknesses in the Arsenal lineup at Craven Cottage.
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