Arsenal make the short trip to West London to face Fulham this weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s outfit inflicted Ruben Amorim’s first defeat as Manchester United boss on Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 triumph at the Emirates. Arsenal defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel will be assessed after the pair were absent against Manchester United.
The Cottagers were also victorious during the week as they swept aside Brighton in a 3-1 win at Craven Cottage. There is a strong former Arsenal contingent in Fulham’s squad with the likes of Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson all coming through the Hale End academy.
Nelson is ineligible for this fixture as he can’t play against his parent club and Tom Cairney is serving the second of a three-game ban he picked up against Tottenham. They join Joachim Andersen and Harrison Reed on the unavailable list.
Fulham vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news
Form
Fulham: WWLDW
Fulham are in contention for Europe can move above fifth-placed Nottingham Forest with a win this weekend.
Their 4-1 home defeat to struggling Wolves a fortnight ago is an anomaly amid their recent positive form.
Our Emile. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Wyxmafv8wB
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 7, 2024
Last weekend, they were more than good value for their point away to Tottenham before overcoming an impressive Brighton side 3-1 at Craven Cottage in midweek. Alex Iwobi netted a brace for the Cottagers. who have only lost once in their last six matches.
Arsenal: DWWWW
The Gunners are in blistering form having succeeded in each of their last four outings.
Their strength from set-pieces came to fruition again during their 2-0 win over Manchester United with both goals coming from corners.
Jurrien Timber nodded in his first goal for the club before William Saliba bundled the ball past Andre Onana.
🟣 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 🔵
🆚 Fulham
🕑 2pm (UK)
🏆 Premier League
🏟 Craven Cottage pic.twitter.com/P5bjvQioXo
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 8, 2024
They are level on points with second-place Chelsea and trail league leaders Liverpool by seven points.
Last Meeting: Fulham 2-1 Arsenal, Premier League, 31st December 2023
Fulham ended 2023 with a hard-fought victory over Arsenal the last time the two sides met.
Bukayo Saka put the visitors ahead in the fifth minute as he tapped in the rebound from Gabriel Martinelli’s shot.
The Englishman appeared to stray offside on first view, but replays proved Calvin Bassey had played him onside.
Fulham responded well to going behind with Raul Jimenez’s effort saved by David Raya before former Arsenal winger Willian narrowly missed another opportunity.
Arsenal eventually succumbed to the pressure with Tom Cairney flashing a ball across the box to find Jimenez who fired in the equaliser.
Marco Silva’s side continued to dominate proceedings after the interval and got their just reward. A corner caused problems for Arsenal and after the ball bounced awkwardly off Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bobby Decordova-Reid was perfectly placed to smash in Fulham’s second.
Andreas Pereira almost grabbed their third in the closing stages but his free-kick cannoned off the crossbar. Arsenal didn’t manage to restore parity returned to North London empty-handed.
Predicted Lineups
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Pereira; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Wilson; Jimenez.
Arsenal: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Havertz.
Who is the referee?
Chris Kavanagh will be the match official. He will be assisted by Darren Cann and Simon Long while Andy Madley will be the fourth official. The VAR will be John Brooks and he will be assisted by Derek Eaton.
What channel will Fulham vs Arsenal be on?
Sunday’s London derby will be televised on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Go UK, NOW TV UK and Sky Sports Ultra.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at Craven Cottage will be at 14:00 GMT on Sunday 8th December 2024.
Odds
Fulham – 4/1
Draw – 10/3
Arsenal – 4/7
Read – Tweets of the Week: Dead manager bounce, Merseyside Derby off, Arsenal corners
See more – The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 8th
Read – Tweets of the Week: Dead manager bounce, Merseyside Derby off, Arsenal corners
See more – The Football Faithful’s Advent Calendar: December 8th