Arsenal return to action after almost two-and-a-half weeks off when they host Fulham

The Premier League returns on Tuesday evening, and there’s an all-London affair to get stuck into at the Emirates as Arsenal take on Fulham.

The Gunners’ early FA Cup exit means they’re yet to take to the field in the wake of the March international break, but Marco Silva’s side were in action at the weekend. However, the Cottagers’ last hope of claiming silverware this term was dashed by Crystal Palace as the Eagles claimed an impressive 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage.

Nevertheless, Fulham are still on course to enjoy an excellent season. They enter Tuesday’s bout eighth in the Premier League table and just three points adrift of Manchester City in fifth.

Arsenal have had their fair share of issues against Silva’s Cottagers in recent outings, with their last victory against Fulham arriving in early 2023. The visitors are unbeaten in three games against the Gunners. The pair played out a 1-1 draw back in December after Bukayo Saka had a potential late winner ruled out for offside following VAR intervention.

Mikel Arteta’s men are a long way back in the title race, but they can close the gap to league leaders Liverpool to single digits with a midweek win. The Gunners edged past Chelsea 1-0 last time out.

Bukayo Saka has been out since Christmas after undergoing hamstring surgery, and this fixture has long been earmarked as a potential return date for the Arsenal star.

The winger stepped up his recovery during the break, confirming his return to the training pitch via Instagram, and he’s expected to play some part on Tuesday night.

While Saka could make the matchday squad, Arteta is likely to continue with Mikel Merino up top after he score the winner in the Gunners’ victory over Chelsea before the break. Ethan Nwaneri could start down the right.

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all long-term absentees. Riccardo Calafiori also misses out after sustaining another knee injury on international duty.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Fulham (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli.

Reiss Nelson wouldn’t have been eligible to face his parent club on Tuesday, but the winger is out of action for the remainder of the season through injury anyway.

While Nelson is unavailable, former Gunners Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi are poised for starts at the Emirates. Willian, who endured a miserable spell in north London, is also in contention.

Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson are out. Raul Jimenez should return to Silva’s starting XI.

Fulham predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Willian; Jimenez.