Arsenal have the opportunity to close the gap Liverpool just four points away with a win over Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
With the Liverpool game against Everton With Saturday postponed due to adverse weather, the Gunners can take advantage and cut their lead at the top of the table. first division with a victory today in west London.
However, Mikel Arteta are suffering an injury crisis on defense and Oleksandr Zinchenko is the latest addition to their growing injury list. Gabriel Magalhaes has been ruled out once again along with Riccardo Calafiori, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiaysu are long-term absentees for Arsenal.
With five defenders on the sidelines, Thomas Partey is forced to move to right back this afternoon and Jurrien Timber moves to left back. Jacub Kiwior maintains his place at the side William Saliba in the middle of Arsenal's defense.
Jorginho starts in midfield while Declan Rice It begins once again with Martin Odegaard as captain of the Gunners. The Norway international will look to continue his excellent form since returning from injury at the end of November.
Bukayo Saka He has also been in good form lately and is once again starting on the right wing. Leandro Trossard gets the nod ahead of Gabriel Martinelli on the left with Kai Havertz leading Arsenal's forward line once again.
Bernd Leno will start in goal, while Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe will also start against their former club this afternoon. Sander Berge plays in midfield and Adama Troare is a dangerous man for the hosts on the wing.
Here are the confirmed lineups:
Fulham
Lion; Teté, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Bergé, Lukic; Adama, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Substitutes: Benda, Castaña, Rey, Cuenca, Pereira, Sessegnon, Godó, Wilson, Muñiz
Arsenal
Raya, Partey, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Havertz.
Substitutes: Neto, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Heaven, Merino, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Sterling, Jesús.
