Arsenal welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium in the first of this weekend’s double-headed Super Sunday.
Victory will see Arsenal stay ninth but move closer towards the fight for Europa League qualification, whereas Fulham know that a win will move them to within four points of safety.
Team News
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is unlikely to be risked for Arsenal as he continues to recover from illness, having contracted malaria whilst on international duty for Gabon last month.
Martin Odegaard (ankle) could be in contention to return but David Luiz and Kiernan Tierney (both knee) remain ruled out.
Fulham will be without Terence Kongolo for rest of this season after the defender suffered a knee injury in last weekend’s loss to Wolves.
Ademola Lookman (hamstring) is in contention to return but Marek Rodak (finger) and Tom Cairney (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have avoided defeat in their last seven meetings against Fulham (W6, D1).
- Fulham are winless in 27 trips to Arsenal at both Highbury and Emirates Stadium (D5, L22).
- Four of Arsenal’s last ten away league goals have come from Alexandre Lacazette, with the Gunners taking seven points in last three away games in which he scored (W2, D1).
- Just two of Fulham’s eight away league goals in 2021 have come in the first half.
- Arsenal lost their only previous home league game this season refereed by Craig Pawson, losing 1-0 to Leicester in late October in a game also coincidentally held on a Sunday.
Prediction
Arsenal enter this match off the back of a ruthless display at Slavia Prague which built on a strong polished display at Sheffield United last Sunday, which has come at an ideal time to ideally put them in the mix for sixth at best depending on results in the next month.
Fulham however were unlucky to not snatch a point against Wolves last weekend because they continued to waste chances repeatedly and struggled aerially to clear high balls, although a late defensive error ultimately cost them.
Scott Parker’s Cottagers however have been stronger away from Craven Cottage this season, which should make this game interesting if they can tighten up defensively against a reenergised Arsenal team and look to strike on the counter.
I however can’t see past a home win because Arsenal just look like they have discovered their best quality at the right stage of this season.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
Result: Arsenal 1-1 Fulham