Another weekend, another London derby – and one which at first glance seems routine enough, but actually might be another big test of Arsenal’s resolve and ability to fight their way back into Premier League title contention.
By Karl Matchett
With the gap at the top standing at seven points between themselves (and Chelsea) and leaders Liverpool, the Gunners have no room for dropping points and a trip to Fulham won’t be easy. The Gunners had won five in a row at Craven Cottage until last term, but almost exactly a year ago they were beaten 2-1 by Marco Silva’s side, who themselves are up to sixth in the table this term. With injury issues in defence for the visitors, the home team having a former Arsenal man as one of their form men this term and Mikel Arteta’s team managing only one away win from their last five and this has the hallmarks of a terribly tough encounter in the search for consistency.
Current form
Four wins from seven at home in the league shows Fulham are in decent shape, as does moving into the top six by beating Brighton in midweek. But the defeat against Wolves shows they are fallible, and their defensive record is far from solid. Arsenal are faring better at home than away, where they’ve won three of seven and only one in five, though that was last time on the road at West Ham. Beating Manchester United on Wednesday, thanks to set pieces once again, puts them back on track with three straight top-flight victories – but still plenty of ground to make up.
Team news
Tom Cairney is still out suspended for Fulham, but the two big injury absences are centre-back Joachim Andersen and midfielder Harrison Reed. Reiss Nelson’s own injury denies him being a sub option in a busy period for Fulham as he has been most of the season, though as he’s on loan from Arsenal he couldn’t have played this one anyway.
For the Gunners themselves, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the ongoing absences at full-back and in the middle of the defence are two additional worries, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori both missing the midweek win. If neither return, Jakub Kiwior will start in the middle.
Fulham’s most in-form ex-Gunner
Arsenal have talent all over the pitch but if Fulham are to do anything to halt them, it’s an ex-Gunner who will need to shine – and not Emile Smith Rowe either. Alex Iwobi netted twice in midweek and he’s created the second highest volume of chances for Fulham this season (26), the most big chances (5), has the highest xA (3.3) and is the club’s top league scorer (5). Whether he starts centrally or wide will dictate which of those traits he’s likely to add to, but on home soil the Cottagers will need him to be equal parts chance-creator and taker to register a shock result.
Prediction
Fulham 1 Arsenal 2. The home side will make it tough but Arsenal’s firepower will win out on the day by the odd goal.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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