Report: Two fan favourite players that Mikel Arteta could bench in Arsenal’s opener against Fulham

The Premier League will start this weekend and Arsenal’s first match will be against Fulham at Craven Cottage and gunners head coach Mikel Arteta will hope to win as starting with three valuable away points would be incredible. Arsenal fans are known for having mixed reactions when lineups get announced and we today take a look at two fan favourite players that could be benched on game week one.

1. BUKAYO SAKA

Bukayo Saka has become a fan favourite at Arsenal this year after his impressive performances and the fans are nowadays always eager to see him in the starting eleven. The gunners completed the signing of Willian this summer to guide some of their youngsters as well as easing on their pressure, and so Mikel Arteta might opt to start the experienced Brazilian international over Bukayo Saka in the Fulham game.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: Arsenal Head Coach Mikel Arteta takls to Bukayo Saka during the FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 29, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta also mentioned this in an interview, saying that their current youngsters have played a lot of minutes this year and so it won’t be a surprise if he decides to not include Bukayo Saka in the starting eleven at the weekend.

2. WILLIAM SALIBA

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 05: William Saliba of Arsenal in action during a pre-season friendly between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on September 05, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

William Saliba is already an Arsenal fan’s favourite even though he is yet to play a competitive game for the North Londoners and most of the fanbase will want to see him in the starting eleven that faces Fulham as they would like to see how he performs in the Premier League. The Arsenal fans might however wait for a long time as Arteta will likely not start him in this game as Holding will be staying as per reports and is more likely to start with Luiz, Gabriel or both in a three man defence.

It is believed that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will try to slowly ease the integration of Saliba in the squad since he is still a young player that needs his development to be handled well.