Arsenal meet Fulham in a August Bank Holiday London derby at Emirates Stadium.
Victory would see Arsenal go top for at least a few hours at minimum, whilst Fulham can move back into the top ten with a win.
Team News
Takehiro Tomiyasu is suspended for Arsenal after he was sent off in their narrow victory at Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
Albert Sambi Lokonga (muscle) and Folarin Balogun (foot) are doubtful with both players expected to move on before the transfer window closes.
Jurrien Timber, Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus remain absent with knee injuries.
Fulham will be without defender, Tim Ream after he was red carded during their defeat at home to Brentford last weekend.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal welcome Fulham to Emirates Stadium in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday 26 August, untelevised in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last ten meetings against Fulham (W8, D2).
- Fulham are yet to beat Arsenal away from home in all competitions (D6, L23).
- Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven home games aganst Fulham (W4, D3), which came in a 2-0 win in January 2014.
- Arsenal claimed 16 out of 18 points from London derbies at home last season (W5, D1).
- Fulham have won two of their last three away matches (W2, L3).
Prediction
Having fought their way to victory in a fiercely close contest at Palace on Monday evening with a penalty proving the difference despite finishing with ten men, Arsenal now need to just build upon that performance and start to find their top spark of last season again.
Mikel Arteta though should be pleased with how his Gunners defended when down to ten men because his changes benefitted them defensively, which is a step forward because I don’t think they would of kept a clean sheet if this situation had happened last season.
Fulham meanwhile lacked their usual intensity and quality in a ruthless defeat inflicted upon them by Brentford, whilst sloppy backpassing and fouling were duly punished clinically so there is a huge improvement required with Raul Jimenez yet to find his scoring boots.
Now if Marco Silva’s Cottagers turn up with a similar performance and Arsenal can find that next gear, I do expect there to be only one result.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Fulham
Result: Arsenal 2-2 Fulham