A victory for Arsenal against Fulham in the Premier League at the Emirates on Tuesday would temporarily close the gap to leaders Liverpool to nine points.
The Gunners currently sit in second place with 58 points, coming off a narrow 1-0 win against Chelsea on March 16. Fulham, meanwhile, secured a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on the same date and occupy eighth place with 45 points.
Mikel Merino netted Arsenal’s only goal against Chelsea in the 20th minute in a game that saw limited attacking opportunities, with neither side creating a major chance or generating at least one expected goal (xG). Before that match, Arsenal had struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in three consecutive games and conceding in four straight home league fixtures.
Playing a day before Liverpool, Arsenal have a chance to apply some pressure on the league leaders. However, a loss could allow third-placed Nottingham Forest to cut the gap to just one point. Despite this, Arsenal are relatively secure in the top-four race, holding a 10-point lead over fifth-placed Manchester City.
The reverse fixture between Arsenal and Fulham ended in a 1-1 draw on December 8, extending Arsenal’s winless run against Fulham to three matches, with one defeat and two draws. While Arteta’s side are unbeaten in five matches, three of those ended in draws, and they have lost two of their last three before this streak. Their home form has been inconsistent, with three defeats, two draws, and four wins in their last nine league games at the Emirates.
Fulham will look to bounce back from their 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Despite controlling possession, the Cottagers struggled to break down their opponents, who made the most of their limited chances. However, Fulham’s league performance against Tottenham was far more solid, restricting Spurs to just one first-half shot.
With just four points separating them from fourth-placed Chelsea, Fulham still have a chance to qualify for European football, though they face a tough schedule, with matches against Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea in their next four fixtures. Fulham have won four of their last six league games, losing two, while scoring nine goals and conceding eight. Their away form has been particularly impressive, winning five of their last six away matches and losing just one in that stretch.
Team News
Arsenal could be boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka to the squad, though Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remain unavailable. Saka is unlikely to start after recently recovering from a hamstring injury, so Merino may be joined in attack by Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri.
Thomas Partey is expected to start in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Defensively, Arsenal are set to field a back four of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu both unavailable.
For Fulham, Raul Jimenez is expected to lead the attack, supported by Willian and Alex Iwobi, with Harry Wilson and Reiss Nelson sidelined. Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic will likely partner in midfield, while the back four could consist of Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, and Antonee Robinson. Kenny Tete remains out with a knee injury.
Possible Starting Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez
Prediction
Arsenal’s chances of victory could be boosted by Saka’s return, but it remains uncertain whether he can make an immediate impact. Fulham’s solid record against Arsenal in recent encounters, combined with their strong away form, suggests they have a good chance of earning another positive result.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Fulham
