An eagerly-anticipated Premier League clash dawns on the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night as Arsenal take on Fulham.
This is not exactly a significant contest in the title race, although the Gunners will trim Liverpool's lead to nine points with a win. Still, Tuesday's bout has long been earmarked as the potential return date for superstar winger Bukayo Saka.
Mikel Arteta has been without the Englishman since Christmas due to a hamstring tear, but the boss confirmed that Saka will return to the matchday squad against the Cottagers. Arsenal's upcoming bouts will be crucial in ensuring the winger is up to speed in time for the start of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
"Bukayo is ready to go!" 😀
Mikel Arteta says that Saka is ready to return for Arsenal against Fulham tomorrow 🔴 pic.twitter.com/CP5PSL9J5m
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 31, 2025
The Gunners are facing a Fulham team that they've struggled to beat in recent outings. Their last victory over Marco Silva's side arrived more than two years ago, when Leandro Trossard recorded three first half assists in a 3-0 victory.
Tuesday's visitors have enjoyed an excellent season, but they suffered a crushing defeat in the FA Cup quarter-finals to Crystal Palace at the weekend. Silva's side still harbour hopes of securing a European berth via their Premier League position, however. They currently sit eighth in the table and are just three points behind Manchester City in fifth.
Here's our preview of Arsenal vs Fulham in the Premier League.
Arsenal vs Fulham: Preview, Prediction & Lineups
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal haven't beaten Fulham since March 2023 | Ryan Pierse/GettyImages
What time does Arsenal vs Fulham kick off?
Arsenal vs Fulham kicks off on Tuesday 1 April at 19:45 BST.
When is kick off? Tuesday 1 April, 2025
What time is kick off? 19:45 BST
Where is it played? Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: John Brooks
Arsenal vs Fulham head-to-head record (last five games)
Date Result Competitions
8 December 2024 Fulham 1-1 Arsenal Premier League
31 December 2023 Fulham 2-1 Arsenal Premier League
26 August 2023 Arsenal 2-2 Fulham Premier League
12 March 2023 Fulham 0-3 Arsenal Premier League
27 August 2022 Arsenal 2-1 Fulham Premier League
How to watch Arsenal vs Fulham on TV
Country TV channel/live stream
United Kingdom Not televised
United States Peacock
Canada fuboTV Canada
Arsenal team news
Saka confirmed his return to the training pitch during the international break before Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the winger will be available. The boss also suggested that Saka could come straight back into his starting XI, but I wouldn't be against the Englishman making an appearance off the bench.
Riccardo Calafiori is out for 'weeks' after sustained a knee injury on international duty, but Arteta suggested that the Italian's setback could've been much worse.
Calafiori joins Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Fulham: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli.
Fulham team news
There are plenty of familiar faces in Silva's squad, with the likes of Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe poised for starts against their former club. The former has enjoyed a particularly impressive season, while Smith Rowe has shown glimpses for the Cottagers after leaving Arsenal last summer.
Reiss Nelson is ineligible to play on Tuesday, but he's already been ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury, anyway. Bernd Leno and Willian are other alumni set for Emirates returns.
Nelson, Kenny Tete, and Harry Wilson are all sidelined for the visitors.
Predicted Fulham lineup vs Arsenal : Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Adama, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez.
Arsenal vs Fulham prediction
Fulham were poor against Crystal Palace at the weekend as they exited the FA Cup, but I suspect the Cottagers will give Arsenal a few more headaches on Tuesday night.
The Gunners have slogged their way through 2025 thus far, but the return of Saka is significant. Even if we shouldn't expect the winger to come back firing, his mere presence should galvanise this group of players.
Fulham are well balanced and astutely drilled, with their ability to constrict space when sat in a mid-block bound to frustrate the hosts. However, Arsenal should limit the visitors on the counter-attack and sustain pressure for much of the bout. The Gunners aren't going to coast on Tuesday, but Saka's return could prove the difference.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham
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