Arsenal are back in action, and the stakes are high. A win against Fulham would temporarily close the gap to Liverpool to nine points, keeping Mikel Arteta’s side in the title race.
Momentum is everything at this stage of the season. The Gunners signed off before the international break with a 1-0 win over Chelsea, but their recent form has been mixed. They are unbeaten in five matches, yet three of those have ended in draws.
Arsenal’s home form has also been inconsistent. They have won just four of their last nine league games at the Emirates, dropping crucial points in the process. Defensive issues have been a concern, with the team failing to keep a clean sheet in four consecutive home matches before facing Chelsea.
Arteta, however, remains optimistic. “We had a good time to reflect and reset,” he said. “Now it’s about putting ourselves in a really good position to go for the most exciting part of the season.” His team will need to be sharper than they were in the reverse fixture, where they were held to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
Fulham will not be easy opponents. Marco Silva’s side have beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in recent weeks, and they have won five of their last six away games.
A strong defensive display against Spurs showed their organisation, but their 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend exposed vulnerabilities Arsenal could exploit.
The Gunners will be boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka. “He’s ready to go,” Arteta confirmed. “We know how important he is to our success.” With the England star back, Arsenal will have another key attacking weapon as they look to break down Fulham’s compact defence.
This is a game Arsenal simply have to win. The title race remains an uphill battle, but dropping points at home would make it almost impossible. They play before Liverpool, giving them a chance to pile on the pressure.
Arteta is not looking beyond this fixture. “It’s possible to win tomorrow,” he said. “If we do that, we’re going to start generating good momentum.” That momentum could define their season.