Fuham vs Arsenal injury latest as seven ruled out and two doubts

Arsenal are back in action on Sunday when they make the short trip to West London to take on rivals Fulham.

The Gunners currently hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, and they will be desperate to at least keep hold of that cushion this weekend. Though, they will come up against an impressive-looking Fulham side at Craven Cottage, with Marco Silva’s men fighting for a European spot, despite this being their first season back in the Premier League.

Arsenal also have the added challenge of having played as recently as Thursday night, drawing with Sporting CP in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie, though Mikel Arteta did make as many as six changes in a bid to keep players fresh for this one.

Arsenal will, however, be sweating on the availability of Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard, who have both picked up knocks. Arteta said this week: “Let’s see how they evolve, obviously we have had a few issues in the last few days. We’re trying to accommodate everybody and get everybody in the best possible condition for tomorrow.”

Elsewhere, Gabriel Jesus will remain out for now, along with long-term absentee Mohamed Elneny. Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard will return from illness.

As for Fulham, Tom Cairney, Neeskens Kebano and Layvin Kurzawa remain out, while Paulinha is suspended and Cedric Soares is unable to play against his parent club. During his pre-match press conference, Fulham boss Marco Silva confirmed his side have no further absentees, but he also spoke about Arsenal’s busy schedule due to the Europa League.

“Let’s see – you know that Arsenal have been doing this so far,” he said. “I think their approach to the Europa League is always different than Premier League.

“Of course, they have some players injured and some illness during this week. But, even so, they rested five players at least, and from the first Europa League match this season they have approached it in a different way, they have rotated the team and they have managed really well the situation. And what I saw from yesterday, they did again the same, they rotated the team, they had some key players that didn’t start the game, and it will be a strong Arsenal [on Sunday] for sure.

“Okay, it’s not a normal week, yesterday they had the game, the travel situation, but I think all of us understand that they rotate the team and, of course, they will be a very strong side on Sunday.”