At a Glance:
- Arsenal host Fulham on Saturday evening at the Emirates.
- The Gunners have a number of injury concerns heading into this clash.
- Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the likes of Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal host Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday evening, and manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update ahead of the clash.
The Gunners have a three-point lead over Manchester City at the summit of the English top flight, and thus, they have the opportunity to extend that gap to six when they play Fulham. Doing this would place enormous pressure on City ahead of their trip to Everton on Monday night.
Paul Merson has backed Arteta’s side to overcome the Cottagers, and the pundit has gone so far as to say that this prospective victory would clinch the title for the North Londoners. While this might be something of a stretch, it would certainly be a significant win which would drastically improve their chances of claiming the trophy that has eluded them for over 20 years.
| Rank | Team | Pts | Pld | GD |
| 1 | Arsenal | 73 | 34 | +38 |
| 2 | Man City | 70 | 33 | +37 |
Mikel Arteta issues Arsenal injury update ahead of Fulham clash
Arsenal have a handful of fresh injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s clash against Fulham. Mikel Merino remains absent, and the Spaniard is understood to still be some way away from a return after sustaining a serious foot injury in January.
Bukayo Saka is back in the fold and could make his first start since returning from his most recent setback. The Gunners’ talisman enjoyed a bright cameo away at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, and will be eager to build on this against the Cottagers.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard is a doubt after being forced off midway through the first half at the Wanda Metropolitano. The Norwegian has struggled with his fitness all season, and he’s seemingly suffered yet another setback.
Unsurprisingly, Arteta was quizzed on Odegaard’s prospective availability for the Fulham game in his press conference on Friday.
“Let’s see,” he said.
Elsewhere, Kai Havertz missed the trip to the Spanish capital. The German limped off in the first half of the Newcastle game, and isn’t expected to be available for at least another week or so.
Arteta provided an update on Havertz, and the Spanish boss also commented on Jurrien Timber’s fitness situation, with the Dutchman now absent from Arsenal’s squad for well over a month.
“Kai and Jurrien will be out,” he said.
“[On problems after Atletico] I [don’t] think so, let’s see how everyone is tomorrow morning. We haven’t been able to train much.”
Fulham team news ahead of Emirates visit
Fulham’s squad is largely unscathed from a fitness point of view, and it’s not a huge surprise given their lack of European involvement. Three players have been ruled out of the trip to the Emirates, and all three may not play again this season.
Alex Iwobi is the biggest loss for Marco Silva’s side, with the ex-Gunners star currently recovering from a thigh issue. The playmaker sustained the injury in Fulham’s game away at Brentford a couple of weeks ago, and Silva confirmed this week that he’ll miss the reunion with his former club.
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— AE (@ArtetaEra) May 1, 2026
Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Kevin are all ruled out for the Emirates trip.
Tete is expected to be available. pic.twitter.com/3HmOgd4RFY
Meanwhile, winger Kevin has also been ruled out, as he recovers from an ankle problem. Ryan Sessegnon is also unavailable due to a thigh strain, while full-back Tete faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.
