Fulham v Arsenal Preview

by SamuelJayC Fri Aug 23, 2013 10:11 pm

Fulham v Arsenal, Saturday 24th August 12.45pm, Craven Cottage, Premier League, BT Sport 1

Arsenal all but confirmed Champions League football for another season in mid-week

Arsenal enjoy a mixed first week of the season

"Special circumstances." That was how Arsène Wenger described Arsenal's opening day defeat at home to Aston Villa last weekend. Despite Olivier Giroud's early strike, Paul Lambert's men came away with all three points thanks largely to Christian Benteke's brace. But it was the display of referee Anthony Taylor which caused the most attention - with the official dropped from Premier League fixtures this weekend following his debatable decisions at the Emirates last Saturday.

"I didn't like his performance," Wenger said of Taylor, "I didn't like the spirit of how he refereed the game." Wenger avoided any FA warnings, but his frustrations were clearly evident. Those frustrations would have turned to delight in Turkey on Wednesday evening. The gunners' 3-0 victory at Fenerbahçe has all but confirmed Champions League football for a 16th successive campaign. The outstanding performances of Aaron Ramsey in midfield most pleased the boss.

"His improvement is blatant," Wenger told Arsenal Player, "one year ago nobody would have believed that he'd be at this level now." The Welshman dominated midfield, with help coming from midfield partners Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Tomáš Rosický.

Fulham come into derby on back of win

Fulham don't really do away wins. When Pajtim Kasami's header at Sunderland gave the Londoners a victory last Saturday, it was the club's 5th victory away from Craven Cottage in a year - a poor return. But that result has set up Martin Jol's side nicely for the season ahead, and the former Spurs boss is confident ahead of tomorrow's London derby.

"We've had good results against Arsenal over the years," Jol said at Friday's press conference, "so there is not a fear factor in our team about them." But the Dutchman is wary of Wenger's men. "I saw them against Fenerbahçe and there was no problem. I think they've got one of the best midfield-threes in the country."

Match Facts

* Arsenal won the most points from Premier League London derbies in 2012-13 (19).

* Only against Manchester United (17) have Fulham lost more Premier League games than versus Arsenal (16).

* Fulham have won just three of their previous 24 Premier League games against the Gunners.

* There have been four red cards given in the last three Premier League meetings.

*Arsenal have not lost their opening two matches of a Premier League season since 1992/93.

* Fulham have never won their opening two matches of a Premier League season.

* Arsenal record away to Fulham in Premier League: P12 W8 D1 L3 F21 A8.

Team News

Arsenal

Arteta (thigh), Vermaelen (back), Diaby (knee), Chamberlain (knee) & Koscielny (suspension) are all unavailable.

Fulham

New signings Parker & Bent could start, but Stekelenburg (shoulder), Amorebieta (fitness) & Richardson (hamstring) aren't available. Kacaniklic (hamstring) is fit again after injury.

Arsenal subs: Fabiański, Monreal, Bellerin, Frimpong, Gnabry, Sanogo, Podolski

Fulham subs: Etheridge, Senderos, Sidwell, Karagounis, Kacaniklic, Bent, Ruiz

Managers' views

Arsène Wenger

"I think that developing talent has to be the basis, of course. You can buy world-class players but it cannot be the basis of any club just to buy only players. You want to buy world-class players, of course, but they have to add something to what you have done at home. If you look for example on our midfield on Wednesday night, we had Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, Rosický and Cazorla. Out of the five, three have made their debut and been educated here for the top level, and two we have bought. And I think that's the right mixture."

Martin Jol

"There is not a fear factor in our team about Arsenal, but of course you know their qualities and you have to respect their qualities and try to play your own style. If you see Santi Cazorla, he is one of the best players who can play with two feet - he can score with his left and right. Theo Walcott with his pace, Olivier Giroud is getting better and better, and their midfield - you can't figure out who is the defensive midfielder and who is the offensive midfielder because they rotate all the time."

Prediction

Arsenal must kick-start their domestic campaign on Saturday. Anything less than three points will be deemed failure and will pile the pressure on Wenger to spend even more. Whilst a tricky place to visit, Craven Cottage has been a happy hunting ground for the gunners since Fulham were promoted to the Premier League (P12 W8) though, there's little doubt the Cottagers have improved tremendously since their early years in the top-flight.

How much the travelling and game in Turkey takes out of Arsenal will be intriguing, but if Arsenal can get on the ball and dominate the midfield as they did in mid-week, then Wenger should see his side come away with a victory. Arsenal's rotation in midfield will cause Fulham problems, though Jol will hope Parker's experience can help deal with that issue. The home side have serious fire-power; Berbatov, Bent, Taarabt and Ruiz, and will have to be watched carefully by Mertesacker and make-shift centre-back Sagna.

A night game on Wednesday followed by an early Saturday kick-off is never ideal, but Wenger will expect his side to continue where they left off against Fenerbahce.

Fulham 1-2 Arsenal

by SUPERCARTTS Fri Aug 23, 2013 10:37 pm

This will not be an easy game by any stretch. Fulham at home is a difficult place to go for most teams in the league; Jol has done quite well with this squad.

We're short on numbers, and our bench has about the same fire power as a water gun. I think it'll be 2-2

by Lex Fri Aug 23, 2013 10:48 pm

Riise and Taarabt vs Jenkinson could potentially end in tears

by EL Patron Fri Aug 23, 2013 11:04 pm

think we will dominate possession then look toothless and clueless in attack. We will create Zero chances and fluke one in before half time, we will get another goal in the second half and Fulham will get one back. 2-1

by Wilson37 Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:41 am

Will be a tough match..
Interesting to watch Ramsey Wilshere double pivot who will be tested strongly today.. And hope Jenko or Sczen doesnt make the occasional blunder which would cost us heavily..

by REWB Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:45 am

EL Patron wrote:think we will dominate possession then look toothless and clueless in attack. We will create Zero chances and fluke one in before half time, we will get another goal in the second half and Fulham will get one back. 2-1

i dont think we will dominate possession, this arsenal team cant dominate possession anymore, when was the last time we dominate possession away from home? especially against a team like fulham. we might win by getting lucky and hitting fulham on the counter attack.

by El Gunner Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:55 am

This match is usually tough and cagey. I think it'll be different today. Open and attacking.

We need to keep Berbatov and Ruiz off the ball, we all know what happened last year at the Emirates. It will be good if we follow up Wednesday's result with a win today. Just to get that confidence and momentum heading into the NLD.

C'mon Arsenal Thumbs up