Fulham Vs Arsenal

Fulham Vs Arsenal
Craven Cottage
Saturday 20th April 2013
15:00 BST kick off
Referee: Andre Marriner


Now or Never

The match against Everton ended in a draw. It did neither sides any good, specially Arsenal who were 3rd and wanted to remain 3rd with the 3 points. You can say it was a blip, but a blip we shouldn't have had. We are in no condition to drop points and with the games against United and Fulham/QPR away, it will be a miracle if we can get all 9 points from them 3 games. It's not to say that Spurs and Chelsea won't drop points but why should you depend on others when you can just help yourself ? Both Chelsea and Tottenham can win their remaining games and finish 3rd and fourth respectively leaving us at 5th or even 6th. I am not being pessimistic but it is a reasonable scenario. We all know how Arsenal are like. I rather us being consistent than depend on Tottenham failing, despite it being hilarious.

However we do have a bit of "luck" that Chelsea faces Tottenham as their game in hand. That means one or both of them will drop points for sure. That game will be played on 8th May and a lot can happen between now and then, but just a match to look out for as it will be pretty interesting.

Fulham Away

Fulham are unbeaten against Arsenal in the last 4 matches. Arsenal's away record in the London derbies is pretty terrible. It is not looking good but we are much better than we were early on in the season when we drew 3-3 at home in that terrible game where we were 2-0 up and somehow went 3-2 down before missing the penalty to win the game in the last second. We surely can't perform any worse than that but Craven Cottage hasn't been kind to us in recent years. Chelsea can beat them 3-0, United can beat them 5-0 but for some reason we struggle to score more than 1 goal. But we are a different team than previous years. We have a bench who can come in and create chances and score goals as well. Hopefully it's better than last year.

Team News

Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell is available after completing a three-match ban, but Sascha Riether is an injury doubt. Damien Duff, Ashkan Dejagah and Mahamadou Diarra are all out, while on-loan Emmanuel Frimpong is ineligible to face his parent club,

Arsenal are without goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski because of a cracked rib, so Wojciech Szczesny replaces him. Midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) faces a fitness test.

Probable Arsenal Team

----------------------------------------------------Szczesny-----------------------------------------------

Sagna------------------------Mertesacker-------------------------Koscielny----------------------Monreal

--------------------------------------------------Arteta---------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------Ramsey-----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------Cazorla---------------------------------Podolski

Gervinho----------------------------------------------Giroud----------------------------------------------

Actually not sure who will start in certain positions. I am hoping Podolski starts. But Rosicky can very well start as well if he passes the fitness test. Gervinho/Oxlade/Theo at RW ? Wenger has been talking a bit about Oxlade so maybe he starts. Theo looked unfit and offform so maybe Gervinho should start.

Fulham Probable Team

----------------------------------------------------------Schwarzer--------------------------------------------

Riether----------------------------Senderos-------------------------------Hangeland-------------------Riise

Ruiz------------------------------Karagounis---------------------------Sidwell-----------------------Kačaniklić

---------------------------------Petric---------------------------Berbatov------------------------------------

Match Facts (BBC)

Head-to-head

• Fulham are unbeaten against Arsenal in their past four meetings. Arsenal's last win was 2-1 at home in December 2010.
  
• The Gunners last triumphed at Craven Cottage in September 2009, Robin van Persie scoring the only goal.
  
• Arsenal have won 15 of the 23 Premier League meetings between the two clubs. Fulham have only won three of them.

Fulham

• Fulham have only taken one point from their last three matches, having been unbeaten in the previous five.
  
• The Cottagers have picked up 11 points from London derbies this season. They have only fared better in 2002-2003 (13 points).
  
• They have benefited from five own goals this season, a league-high with Manchester United.
  
• Dimitar Berbatov has scored five goals in the club's last seven matches. Ten of his 13 goals this season have been scored in the first half.

Arsenal

• Arsene Wenger's side have won seven of their last nine league games (W7, D1, L1).
  
• The Gunners have scored 18 goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season, by far the most in the top-flight.
  
• Ten of Olivier Giroud's 11 Premier League goals this season have come at the Emirates.
  
• Mikel Arteta has scored five successive penalties in the Premier League since missing a last minute spot-kick against Fulham in November.

Final Words

9-8 or 1-0, I'd take any win. Get in there Arsenal

Arsenal takes too long to get into gear. For once, i'd like Arsenal to start fast and sustain it.

Needless to say, 3 points is a must here. A draw might as well be a loss.

Great periview RG.
We have to start our strongest line up, must score early. Cant drop any more
points, must get all 3 points.

I dont want to see Jack and Theo starting again, too important of game to try get them back in to shape. We will win the game if Wenger wants to and not gamble.

I will only be able to catch the ending, so here's hoping my first moments watching the game won't be of pure anger! Must win for sure.

Arsene will start Wilshere, Walcott and Carzola on the wing. He will then sub on Podolski and Ox at the 75th minute when we are drawing 0-0.

Bank on it.

silver wrote:Arsene will start Wilshere, Walcott and Carzola on the wing. He will then sub on Podolski and Ox at the 75th minute when we are drawing 0-0.

Bank on it.

LO, its the truth.

Emanuelson to come on and score the winning goal

I'm calling it, Aaron Ramsey tomorrow with a sweet hat-trick: Henryesque back-heel off of a failed corner clearance, then a low rocket from 25 yards out, and finally a diving header in injury time. But all the rest of his play will be awesome all-energy central midfield action.

Also, Giroud will score a remarkable goal where he dribbles in the box like the anointed lovechild of Neymar and Bergkamp, with a finish so blindingly, non-Giroudly emphatic and clear that it rips through the net.

Fulham 0:4 Arsenal

Berbatov will tear you guys all a new butthole imo

We just have to win. Nothing else...

I'm so fecking nervous though. Fulham always make it hard for us at Craven Cottage.

Bench: Mannone, Vermaelen, Monreal/Gibbs, Wilshere, Walcott, Podolski, Ox/Gervais

1 goal and clean sheet please!

solid defensive shape,early lead and counters lets do them
hope Rozza is fit

Nice work RG. Tough game I think. 2-1 Arsenal.

Your formations always crack me up RG.

Anyway... as long as we remain solid at the back, I have no concerns over winning this game.

If anyone has a pal at the game send them an SMS with a chant.

It sounds like a cheese
It sounds like a chee-eese
Craven Cottage
It sounds like a cheese