Predicting Arsenal's Starting Line Up For Their Match Against Fulham

Arsenal encounter London rivals Fulham this Saturday at the Emirates in a bid to attempt to once again overtake rivals Chelsea and Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table.

After successive defeats, the Gunners returned to form last weekend with an impressive 4-2 win against Aston Villa, and on Tuesday night completed a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic to progress to the semifinals of the Carling Cup.

Arsene Wenger's men now encounter a struggling Fulham outfit who have not one in their last five Premier League matches. However, the North London giants have not been strong when graced with home football and the Cottagers will be eager to enforce Arsenal's shaky record.

The Gunners have lost three league matches at the Emirates this season, the most recent their shock 3-2 loss to fierce rivals Tottenham. However, Fulham have won two games this season and are yet to win on the road.

Mark Hughes's men sit one place outside the relegation zone in 17th with 15 points whilst Wigan, who are in 18th, have 14 points, meaning a an eighth loss of the season for Fulham could see them fall.

Arsenal, on the other hand, sit in third with goal difference separating the Gunners and Chelsea, who are in second, whilst Manchester United sit unconvincingly in first with 31 points, two ahead of the latter.

A win could potentially give Arsenal outright second, pending on other results.

None the less, let's predict the Arsenal starting XI.

Goalkeeper

Predominant first choice Manuel Almunia has now returned to full fitness after a persistent elbow injury that has kept the Spaniard absent since September. However, Almunia is a long way off from returning to the starting eleven due to the immense form of Lukasz Fabianski.

The Polish shot stopper has come of age this season and has stolen the first choice keeper role from his counter part. Fabianski is certain to start after boom youngster Wojciech Szczensy enjoyed a lifeless ninety minutes against Wigan mid week.

Szczensy and Almunia are set to contest for the bench role with Fabianski's countrymen Szczensy likely to win out.

Defenders

Defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen is still fighting an extremely persistent Achilles injury that ensured the absence of the Belgium since August.

Vermaelen will once again miss the clash with Sebastien Squillaci, who picked up a knee injury against Aston Villa, expected to return to full fitness and partner Johan Djourou in the heart of the defence.

Djourou is set to be picked ahead of Laurent Koscienly, who started alongside Djourou in the Carling Cup mid week, and is in need of a rest.

Gael Clichy will return to the starting eleven after the Frenchman was rested for the Carling Cup encounter with Wigan to accommodate for English international Kieran Gibbs.

Gibbs will return to the substitutes bench along with Ivorian Emmanuel Eboue, who deputized for Bacary Sagna at right back on Tuesday night. Sagna will be reinstated at right back in an attempt to contain Fulham's danger man Clint Dempsey.

Midfielder

Captain and midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas is still battling a hamstring injury and will not feature against Fulham.

Tomas Rosicky is set to once again deputize for the Spaniard. The Czech will don the captain's armband and start as the right attacking midfielder.

Alexandre Song did not feature alongside Rosicky in the Carling Cup and the Cameroon midfielder is expected to immediately return to the Arsenal line up in the defensive midfielder role.

Teenage sensation Jack Wilshere completed 73 minutes against Wigan and is set to keep his place in the eleven as the left attacking midfielder.

Samba star Denilson played 90 minutes against Wigan and will return to the bench.

French midfielder Abou Diaby is still nursing a persistent ankle injury that was re-injured in October and will once again miss the clash.

Forwards

Vice captain Robin van Persie made his first start on Tuesday night, since returning from an ankle injury sustained in August.

The Dutchman completed 73 minutes without suffering any injuries as well as boasting some nice touches. However, the maestro is expected to return to the bench as Marouane Chamakh returns to the starting eleven as the lone striker.

Russian dynamo Andrei Arshavin will also return to the starting eleven in place of Carlos Vela, who also featured against Wigan.

Arshavin will start on the left wing with Samir Nasri on the right. The French playmaker suffered a slight knee knock after coming on as a substitute against the Latics. Fortunately, the 23 year old is expected to start.

Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner both featured strongly on Tuesday but will be demoted to the substitutes bench.

Substitutes

With seven places on Wenger's bench, Wojciech Szczensy should have the deputy keeper role whilst Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Eboue will be the back up defenders.

Denilson, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner will be the back up attackers, with the latter three likely to feature.

A tough fixture for the Gunners, which they are expect to complete with a victory.

The main concern will be their home form and whether or not they can continue their quest to break their five year trophy drought.