Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon when they host Fulham at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s men are very high on going into this. The Gunners followed up a solid 3-0 victory away at Sheffield United last weekend with a demolition of Slavia Prague on Thursday night and beat them 4-0 to seal an overall 5-1 victory in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Fulham have been in disastrous shape since their 1-0 win at Anfield last month. The Cottagers have lost their four consecutive games, most recently a 1-0 defeat to Wolves, and are now six points away from safety.
So, to get the job done and continue their good form, here is the Arsenal line-up that should start.
Pablo Mari and Bernd Leno celebrate after beating Sheffield United 3-0 | Pool / Getty Images
Bernd Leno (GK) – Had gone 13 games without zero but has two since last weekend. Nice.
Hector Bellerin (RB) – Has had a decent season and hopes to build on his two Premier League assists as far as he turns up and down to the right. Rob Holding (CB) – Has been in excellent shape lately and deserves to be a regular in start XI – another good show against Prague has earned him his place.
Pablo Mari (CB) – Was a colossus on Thursday night and made six distances. Should once again start with Holding in the heart of the defense.
Cedric Soares (LB) – It was Granit Xhaka who filled in the left back last time, but with Cedric rested, the Portuguese will probably come in again.
Ready to go again tomorrow ✊
? @FulhamFC pic.twitter.com/fLFTBZBbBZ
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) 17 April 2021
Granit Xhaka (CM) – Has done well in the last week, done a solid job on the left in defense, but should return to midfield this weekend.Thomas Partey (CM) – Had a really good game in the middle of the week, which gave a glimpse of what we know he can do. Hopefully he can build on the energetic screen and cause problems for Fulham. Dani Ceballos (AM) – With Martin Odegaard out and Emile Smith Rowe likely to be rested, it could be up to Ceballos to inject the creative spark between midfield and attack.
Alexandre Lacazette has been clinically late Pool / Getty Images
Bukayo Saka (RW) – Even if he only came back from injury to start the Slavia game, his influence makes him irreplaceable. A goal and winning a penalty on Thursday limited an incredible performance, which gave him another start.Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – He is in brilliant form and scores four goals in his last two matches. Decisive for Arsenal’s fantastic week and must start again.
Willian (LW) – Can come in for Nicolas Pepe, who was brilliant against Slavia. Despite seven assists in an Arsenal shirt, Willian is still looking for his first Gunners goal.
