Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal XI for next Premier League match against Fulham

Arsenal have enjoyed an impressive start to the season following a summer of heavy spending. The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer transfer window with Mikel Arteta keen to end the club’s long wait for the Premier League title.

And it appears to have paid instant dividends, with Arsenal leading the table heading into the second international break of the campaign. It’s a position that Arteta and his players will be anxious to keep in a fortnight’s time.

Arsenal resume their domestic action against London rivals Fulham once the break ends. But what might the Gunners look like by then? football.london takes a look:

Starting in goal, Spanish stopper David Raya is Arsenal’s undoubted number one. Allowing for any injuries, he seems sure to keep the number one shirt for the foreseeable future.

Moving into defence, Arsenal seem relatively settled once again. Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are Arteta’s preferred full-backs, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have forged an impressive defensive partnership.

Things become slightly more tricky when moving into midfield. Declan Rice will hope to extend his form against Fulham having scored against former side West Ham.

Martin Zubimendi appears likely to be restored to the starting XI after being benched vs the Hammers. The Spaniard was swiftly introduced following Martin Odegaard’s injury and performed very well.

There’s then a decision to make slightly further forwards. Odegaard has struggled with injuries over the past few weeks, with his knee issue likely to keep him out for a little while.

Mikel Merino could potentially be an option to replace the Arsenal captain given his habit for an important goal. But should Arteta want a more natural number ten then academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri would be an obvious selection.

Looking at Arsenal’s attack, there might be one tweak made before the next game. With Nwaneri in central positions, that may see summer signing Eberechi Eze moved to the left flank - Leandro Trossard dropping out in his place.

England winger Bukayo Saka is now fully recovered and managed to find the net against West Ham so is a near-automatic selection. Viktor Gyokeres also looks sure to lead the line for Arsenal against Fulham.

The Swedish striker is yet to find his best form in front of goal but with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz still sidelined, Gyokeres is the obvious choice.

Possible Arsenal XI vs Fulham: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Nwaneri; Saka, Eze, Gyokeres.

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