Arsenal have the chance to put real pressure on Manchester City with a win over Fulham at the Emirates tomorrow evening, though they will have to do it without Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
Victory would open up a temporary six-point gap at the top, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side with little margin for error, even if they will still have two games in hand by the time they face Everton on Monday night.
At first glance, tenth-placed Fulham might not appear to have much to play for in their final four games. A closer look at the table tells a different story, with just four points separating sixth and 12th. With the added possibility of English clubs winning all three UEFA competitions, a European place could still be within reach if Marco Silva’s side can string together a run.
“It’s a remarkable job what Marco is doing, I’ve said it many times in my opinion he’s one of the best managers in the league,” noted Mikel Arteta in his pre-game press conference.
“The way he sets up his team, what he’s done for the club. It’s incredible so we know how tough it’s going to be tomorrow.”
Silva’s side will believe they can take advantage of an Arsenal team with limited recovery time after Wednesday’s intense Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Thankfully, it seems the squad came through that test largely unscathed. Aside from the absent Timber and Havertz, with the latter hopeful of being back on Tuesday, the only doubt is Martin Odegaard.
“Let’s see how everybody is tomorrow morning,” said the manager when asked for a fitness update.
“Obviously, we haven’t been able to train much, so tomorrow we’ll have the final update.
“Kai and Jurrien will be out,” he added, while he replied “let’s see” when pressed on Odegaard’s availability.
The captain came off before the hour mark at the Metropolitano, replaced by Eberechi Eze. Having only recently returned from a knee issue, the decision appeared as much precautionary as tactical.
In the immediate aftermath of the 1-1 draw in Spain, Arteta was visibly frustrated after his side had a penalty decision overturned following a VAR intervention.
Put to him that the team could channel that sense of injustice into a big performance against Fulham, the manager made clear that they do not need any extra motivation.
“Maybe, but I think we have enough fuel in the tank. We’re playing to win the Premier League, it’s exactly what we want it to be. Four games to go, it’s game two, I’m ready to go.”
On what he sees when he looks at his players, he added: “Hunger. Hunger to win, that’s it. To compete, to prepare and to achieve the goal that we set at the start of the season.”
In his own pre-match press conference, Silva struck a rallying tone, admitting his side would look to take advantage of any nerves inside the stadium.
“Let’s hope we can use that,” said the Portuguese. “That depends on us, it depends on them, and it depends on many things.
“Whether the environment is tense or not depends on how we play and whether we are good enough to make it happen. Simple as that.
“Arsenal are a top side, a side that are title contenders, that play to win all of their games, but are also the most solid team in the league.”
The atmosphere at the Emirates has been a talking point in recent weeks, with suggestions that tension in the stands, shaped by near misses in recent seasons, has had an impact during the run-in.
Asked about that, Arteta said: “That’s a question for the players. I’m extremely grateful for the support and the atmosphere that we have created at the Emirates. We always want more, we always want better.
“We always want every single action to be so positive behind the players. When we do that, we all know that the outcome is going to be much better. I’m sure tomorrow is going to be such a special game when it’s so much to play for and so little [to go]. We know everybody has to be at it.”
Last weekend, after two early short corners, a section of the home crowd groaned when Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard lined up another in quick succession. This time it worked, a ball fizzed into the feet of Kai Havertz who teed up Eberechi Eze to find the top corner. Odegaard’s immediate reaction was to signal to the crowd that the players knew what they were doing.
Arteta saw it as a reminder of the importance of trust.
“I think that’s part of my job as well, because I know what we are trying to do.
“I put the right example the other day when we played the short corners as well. We are so convinced of what we have to do and let the players make the decision, especially when they are on the ball.
“When we are defending push them to do that, I think it’s great. When they have the ball, we need to allow them to make their decision. Because probably they are so good, they will take the right one most of the time.”