2025-26 Premier League: Week Eight – Fulham vs Arsenal

Fulham host Premier League leaders, Arsenal at Craven Cottage in a massive London derby.

Victory could lift Fulham up to tenth depending on results elsewhere, whilst Arsenal could return to the summit with a win if displaced before kick-off.

 

Team News

Fulham could welcome Raul Jimenez (groin) and Kenny Tete (knee) back into contention.

Sasa Lukic however is ruled out after he suffered a muscle injury during the Cottagers’ 3-1 loss at Bournemouth before the international break.

Antonee Robinson and Samuel Chukwueze are ruled out after suffering respective leg and calf injuries during the international break.

Rodrigo Muniz (hamstring) remains ruled out.

Arsenal will be without Martin Odegaard after the Norwegian suffered a knee injury during their home win over West Ham before the international break.

Piero Hincapie (groin) could return but Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus (all knee) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Fulham host Arsenal at Craven Cottage on Saturday 18 October at 5:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Fulham are unbeaten in three of their last four meetings against Arsenal (W1, D2, L1).
• Arsenal have lost just one of their last seven trips to Fulham (W5, D1, L1).
• Fulham’s Raul Jimenez has scored in two of his last three appearances against Arsenal.
• Fulham are yet to lose at home this season in all competitions (W4, D1).
• Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres is yet to score a league goal away from home this season.

 

Prediction

Fulham will be disappointed at how they blew a 1-0 lead away to Bournemouth with a defensive meltdown to lose 3-1 eventually, but this is a chance to reset now with Jimenez back up top yet I do feel that this will be primarily a defensive test against a high-flying Arsenal team.

Arsenal though could begin this game under pressure to regain top spot depending on results elsewhere, but they have already shown that they can now cope without Odegaard in midfield this season which stands them in good stead for this London derby.

Although Fulham have proven difficult to beat at home, I don’t see them troubling Arsenal too much once the game settles down, as this does feel like a clash that the Gunners will dominate with ease to an one-sided result even if concede one goal.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Arsenal

Result: Fulham 0-1 Arsenal