By Danong and 1970s Gooner
Arsenal are back at the Emirates on Saturday night, hosting Fulham as they look to keep their title charge alive.
Hoping to quench their thirst for league glory, it surely needs no emphasis that the Gunners simply cannot afford to slip. Only a win will do, with Manchester City breathing down their neck.
Bukayo Saka is back and trying to find his rhythm, whilst Ricardo Calafiori also returns. However, Arsenal will be without Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
Even so, Mikel Arteta should have a capable enough side to dispatch the Cottagers. He could go for:
Raya
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie
Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard
Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Alternatively if Odegaard cannot shake off the niggling knee problem that has followed him since the away game at Brentford there is the more attractive option of starting Eze. This will provide a more attacking threat as well as a player who can come up with a magic moment to win a what could be a close game.
There is the more attractive option to start both Odegaard, if he is fit, and Eze in midfield. Under this scenario Zubimendi will be rested for the second leg of the Semi-final against Athletico Madrid.
Against Atlético Madrid, Arteta made one brilliant tactical tweak, deploying Declan Rice as a six.
That adjustment made Arsenal more defensively strong and balanced, something the Gunners have been crying out for. Against Fulham, it could lay the foundation for yet another important win.
Raya
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie
Rice, Odegaard, Eze
Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
Earlier in the season, when these two sides met, Arsenal came out on top with a 1-0 victory. Last season, too, the boys in red and white did not lose this London derby, winning at home and drawing at Craven Cottage.
Surely, when they absolutely need to beat Fulham, you would back Arsenal to do so.
Then the hope will be that Everton have enough in them to halt Manchester City on Monday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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