Rank	Club	Games Played	Points
1	Manchester City	18	45
2	Manchester United	19	45
3	Tottenham	18	39
4	Arsenal	19	36
5	Chelsea	19	34
6	Liverpool	19	34
...13	Fulham	19	20

Arsenal start the new year with a trip to Craven Cottage to square off against Fulham and hopefully grab a three points that will be vital to staying afloat in the top 4. With Chelsea dropping points to a mildly surprising defeat at Stamford Bridge to Aston Villa 1-3, the Gunners were able to leapfrog the Blues and plant themselves in 4th place. Surely this will serve as a boost to morale for Arsene Wenger's men, starting 2012 in the top 4, just the place they hope to be come May. Last time out in November, Thomas Vermaelen scored for both sides in a 1-1 encounter.



Another Morale Boost


Something surely to elevate the spirits of the players is the knowledge that Arsenal's favorite son is returning for a two-month stint. However, due to incomplete paperwork, the loan will only be official in a few days time, meaning the Arsenal Legend, Thierry Henry, will be unavailable on Monday but can play on the 9th against Leeds United.

Quotes on QPR match:
"I give credit to the players because we have been 17th or 18th in the league and we focused and improved as a team, with a formidable spirit in the side. That got us where we are today."
-Arsene Wenger

"We know we still have to play at home against Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham, so we have the cards in our hands. We can go higher in the table if we win at home."
-Laurent Koscielny

"We created a few opportunities and on another day we probably would have scored them but it was hard. It is a game we are delighted to win."
-Aaron Ramsey

"I was one short of Alan Shearer's record but I have the Arsenal record in my hands...For me the main thing today was the win. Man United lost, Chelsea lost and Spurs dropped two points, so it is a big day for us."
-Robin Van Persie




Fulham, who haven't beaten the Gunners since August 2008 need these three points to distance themselves from the relegation zone as much as possible since they sit a mere 5 points about Wigan who are 18th. Their last victory over the gunners came as the result of Brede Hangeland. Their last two results were 1-1 draws to Norwich City and Chelsea away respectively so they will be pleased to have been able to force away results. Now, they'll look to take the fight home and deny Arsene Wenger's men three points and continue their run of decent form.


Probable lineups





Arsenal Injuries: Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby, Carl Jenkinson, Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Ryo Miyaichi, Thomas Vermaelen


Players to Watch


Robin Van Persie
It really couldn't be anybody else. Coming off of an astounding 2011, the Dutch forward has seen his stock rise with 35 goals in 36 PL games. He boasts an 0.97 goal to game ratio, something Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry cannot. He should be as on-fire as ever in this match-up, the cottagers should really look to contain him as he is "scoring like it's going out of fashion".



Clint Dempsey
The fiery American is always a threat going down the right flank but could prove especially problematic as the Gunners are now without their defensive talisman Thomas Vermaelen at left back. He posts 6 goals in 19 PL matches and will look to wreak havoc on the Arsenal left side tomorrow.


Betting Odds:
Fulham 4.10
Draw 3.40
Arsenal 1.95

Another three points should be on the cards for Arsene Wenger's men. A 3-1 win would be likely. Without Thomas Vermaelen forgetting for which side to score, it could end up 0-0 though.

Good preview,MJ

BTW why is it titled *preview*?Is it incomplete...?

Thanks Ernie ^^

better?

Excellent work MJ. I must say all the previews on here are top-class, including mine.. lol

But I do think we will see more changes than just 2. I think Benayoun, Rosicky could also come in, possibly Chamakh too.

But lets wait and see.

Samuelj29060 wrote:Excellent work MJ. I must say all the previews on here are top-class, including mine.. lol

But I do think we will see more changes than just 2. I think Benayoun, Rosicky could also come in, possibly Chamakh too.

But lets wait and see.

looool thanks

I would love to see Rosicky and Benayoun play, they were class against Wolves. I'd like to see Park get the nod over Chamakh though, make his debut finally.

Great preview friend..
I also expect more changes.. May be Benayoun or Rosicky starting replacing Ramsey.. And Gervinho will start for sure... And dreaming that Ox gets a start or atleast a sub appearance...

nice preview

i won't be watching this match though, I have this feeling that I jinx the gooners..

Fulham away is always tough. And Jol hates Wenger.

Samuelj29060 wrote:Fulham away is always tough. And Jol hates Wenger.

i think he respect wenger more than that muppet redknapp

Thanks everyone

quote="aleumdance"]nice preview

i won't be watching this match though, I have this feeling that I jinx the gooners..[/quote]
and thanks for taking one for the team.

Ruiz and Dempsey have been dangerous lately. No defensive lapses for our back 4 please

Well done MJ great preview.

Fulham are a tough team at home and they most of their points at home. They got lucky at Arsenal so now is pay back time and we will beat with a 2-1 or 3-1.

I hope RVP stars this a must win game and we cant drop any points. RVP can have a next week off, I am sure RVP would want to start.

I think we can expect there to be some rotation. As much as our depth sucks, two games in three days is too much for most members of our squad.

I do hope we see the likes of Rosicky and Benayoun get a start, and see Park on the bench. I don't particularly want to see Chamakh start, but can van Persie handle a third game in just seven days? I'm not too sure, and I'm not too keen on really taking that chance.

The problem at left back probably won't be much of an issue in this game, considering that Ruiz/Dempsey cut inside anyway. Playing Miquel or Coquelin there may even work in our favour, as they're both comfortable in central positions.

The only way I can see us not winning this game is tiredness. We probably won't be as sharp as we can be, and may need grind this win out.

I hope we'll see this line-up:

Ruiz and Dembele freak me out every time I see them play. I hope Koscienly and Mertesacker will have a good game.

Forgot to say that the FA is incredibly biased, Man Utd have 4 days to rest, and we have just 2 days.

TV rights man

I am not confident about tomorrow.

Fulham are playing really well atm with Dembele and Ruiz doing particularly well. But saying that ofcoarse we can win against them. Man united won there 5-0 after all.

Rotation is key, needless to say.

Van persie shouldn't play. If we are struggling, Bring him at HT at best.

Gervinho will obviously start, Theo as well as he was subbed. Might see Benayoun and Rosicky though.

With vermaelen out, I want to see Coquelin at Left back instead of Miquel.

Out of interest:

Arsenal team @ Fulham last season (2-2): Szczesny; Sagna Djourou Vermaelen Gibbs; Ramsey Diaby Wilshere; Van Persie Chamakh Nasri

Samuelj29060 wrote:Out of interest:

Arsenal team @ Fulham last season (2-2): Szczesny; Sagna Djourou Vermaelen Gibbs; Ramsey Diaby Wilshere; Van Persie Chamakh Nasri

I trust our lineup to get us a win. Benayoun and Rosicky will pack a better punch than Arteta and Ramsey.

@MJ awesome preview mate!

srigooner wrote:@MJ awesome preview mate!

thanks sri ^^

MJ, YER A WIZARD!!

ali8775 wrote:MJ, YER A WIZARD!!

...IMMA WOT?!

Any news on possible line up for today's game?

Raptorgunner wrote:Any news on possible line up for today's game?

goal.com shows the same lineup I put, so idk yet except they still list Vermaelen as LB. Guess we'll have to wait and see.