MIKEL ARTETA is poised to stick to his winning formula when Arsenal face Fulham on Saturday as he is set to name an unchanged team for the fourth match in a row.
The Gunners have picked up maximum points from their opening three Premier League games to leave them sitting pretty at the top of the table.
Crystal Palace, Leicester and Bournemouth have all been dispatched with relative ease with Arsenal scoring nine goals and conceding just twice.
At this stage last campaign, the North London outfit were bottom of the league having lost their first three games – scoring zero goals and letting in nine.
But following the additions of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, as well as the reintegration of William Saliba, Arteta’s side are beginning to look like the real deal.
Up next for Arsenal is a London derby against newly-promoted Fulham, who have surprised pundits and fans by their free-flowing football so far this term.
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There were question marks as to whether Aleksandar Mitrovic could replicate his stunning Championship form which saw him bang in a record 43 goals last season.
Last time out in the top-flight, the Serbia international mustered just three goals, but he has already matched that tally having scored against Liverpool and Brentford.
And with his physicality likely to pose a potential problem, Arteta would be foolish to change up his backline.
Portugal midfielder Fabio Vieira is yet to make his debut for Arsenal since arriving for £34million due to injury, but even though he is now fit, it is believed he will be eased into the team from the bench.
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With that in mind, here SunSport takes a look at how Arsenal could line-up against the unbeaten Cottagers at the Emirates.
England international Aaron Ramsdale will almost certainly keep his place between the sticks having established himself as the club’s No1 goalkeeper.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is Arsenal’s first-choice right-back, but he is being kept out of the team by Ben White who is yet to put a foot wrong since swapping over from centre-back.
Left-back Kieran Tierney may also find himself on the dugout again with Zinchenko starring following his £32million arrival from Manchester City.
Saliba, who curled in a worldie in the recent 3-0 win over the Cherries, will surely partner Gabriel in the heart of defence having slotted seamlessly into the side after three loan spells away.
Defensive midfielder Thomas Partey will be deployed as an anchor in front of the back four.
Skipper Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka will then play as the two roaming No8s in Arteta’s revamped system.
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Bukayo Saka will keep his place on the right wing despite the Arsenal academy graduate yet to open his account for the season.
Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli would then feature on the opposite flank, with compatriot Gabriel Jesus tasked with leading the line.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
