Arsenal host Fulham at the Emirates on Saturday evening in a Premier League match that carries enormous title race significance, with Arteta’s side able to move six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table with a win, before Man City travel to Everton on Monday night.
The Gunners return home fewer than 72 hours after a tense 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg, where Viktor Gyokeres converted a penalty before Julian Alvarez equalised from the spot for Atletico. Arsenal remain in the tie but face the physical challenge of a Premier League title clash at almost no notice.
Fulham arrive in 10th place and two points off sixth. They have scored just four goals in their last seven games across all competitions, though Marco Silva’s side did edge Aston Villa 1-0 last weekend to end a run of two consecutive blanks. Fulham have never won an away league game against Arsenal in 32 attempts.
Arsenal team news vs Fulham
Kai Havertz, Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are all confirmed absentees. Martin Odegaard is the major doubt after being substituted in the 57th minute in Madrid, with Arteta set to assess the Arsenal captain before naming his team.
If Odegaard is fit, he starts in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, with Eze pushing wide left. If he cannot go, Eze shifts centrally and one of Martinelli or Trossard fills the left wing role. Saka is expected to start on the right, with Gyokeres leading the line again.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Fulham: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze.
Fulham team news vs Arsenal
Kevin, Alex Iwobi and Ryan Sessegnon are all ruled out, with Kenny Tete also a doubt with a foot problem. Berge and Lukic are expected to form the midfield base, with Smith Rowe and Chukwueze providing the creativity either side of them. Raul Jimenez leads the line.
Fulham predicted XI vs Arsenal: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze; Jimenez.
What to expect and our Arsenal vs Fulham prediction
Arsenal have 11 goals conceded at the Emirates all season in the league, the best home defensive record in the division. Fulham’s attacking form is poor and their away record against the Gunners is historically terrible.
The concern is fatigue after Wednesday’s European exertions and the question over Odegaard’s fitness. Arteta will need his best players available and firing if this is to be the comfortable win the record suggests it should be. A narrow Arsenal victory is the most likely outcome.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Fulham.
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