Arsenal have announced their starting XI that will take on Fulham this afternoon, with Mikel Arteta naming Gabriel Jesus on the bench for the first time this year.
The Brazilian international has missed the last four months due to an injury the striker picked up whilst on FIFA World Cup duty. And after much waiting, Jesus is now for Arsenal, with Leandro Trossard back in the starting XI squad having picked up an injury against AFC Bournemouth.
With Manchester City winning on Saturday, Arsenal will have to secure three points this afternoon against Fulham if they’re to reclaim their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, and Arteta’s strong starting XI shows just how important this game is for the Gunners.
Here’s the starting XI Arsenal have gone with as the north London side look to make it five league wins in a row…
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Confirmed Arsenal XI to face Fulham
🖤 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚡️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 12, 2023
🪄 Odegaard in midfield
💪 Trossard returns
🔙 Jesus on the bench
✊ Set and ready for a London derby! pic.twitter.com/GniDeOi108
Starting XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Substitutes: Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Jorginho, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Jesus
The big talking point from Arsenal’s starting XI is the returns of Jesus and Trossard, with Martin Odegaard also back in the team having missed Thursday’s match against Sporting Lisbon as Kieran Tierney is also named in the 20-man squad.
Trossard’s injury was reported as not as bad as first thought, and this has now proven to be true, with the Belgian international back in the Arsenal XI as Jesus starts on the bench, a decision many supporters would agree on ahead of this clash against Fulham.
Elsewhere in the starting XI, it’s business as normal for Arteta, with Gabriel Magalhaes back alongside William Saliba as Gabriel Martinelli returns to his favoured left-wing position, with Bukayo Saka retaining his spot out on the right despite starting in Portugal on Thursday night.
With Jesus joining Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe on the bench, Arsenal have quite the array of attacking options to call upon this afternoon, with the return of the Brazilian something many fans will be excited to see later this at Craven Cottage.