Arsenal vs Fulham F.C. promises us an interesting tactical confrontation in today’s Premier League match at Emirates Stadium, which is a very comfortable stadium for Arsenal gunslingers where the hosts achieve successful results. An Arsenal side searching to keep the positive momentum from their early season form, up against a Fulham team that has work cut out largely on account of important departures and recent poor performances.
Arsenal Team Overview
It is a quick turnaround for Arsenal who started their Premier League campaign well. Certainly, and Mikel Arteta’s side are looking to round off a hat trick of victories. Although Arsenal have injury issues of their own, the north Londoners should enjoy plenty of time on the ball and that will almost certainly play into their hands.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup 4:3:3
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Oleksandr Zinchenko
Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinavascript
Arteta should switch to more or less the same formation and tactics he may well reintroduce Oleksandr Zinchenko in defence after injury. Eddie Nketiah is again expected to start in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
Key Arsenal Absentees
Gabriel Jesus: Out with a knee problem
Jurrien Timber: Long term knee injury
Takehiro Tomiyasu: banned from the red card he got past facing Crystal Palace
The absence of these two represents defensive issues BUT Arteta has enough depth to change it around.
Team Overview Fulham F.C.
Fulham has their back up against the wall ahead of this fixture, after looking out of sorts in a 3-0 Premier League loss vs Brentford. Their major problem, however, is the loss of their partner in crime. There are leagues in which twelve odd goals from a striker you only had to scrape together £2m for would do very nicely indeed. Still, their enterprise has until recently been entirely Mitrović related and now they’ve lost him the Serbian having buggered off to join Al Hilal leaving them still short up front. With Mitrović set to sit on the touchline, expect new signing Raul Jiménez to get a four star rating from manager Marco Silva in leading their attack.
Fulham Predicted Starting XI 4:3:3
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Supports: Antonee Robinson, Calvin Bassey (2.0m), Lys Mousset, Issa Diop, Kenny Tete
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Harrison Reed and Andreas Pereira
Forwards: Willian, Bobby De Cordova Reid, Raul Jiménez
Calvin Bassey will be restored in the defence to start and replace Tim Ream after he was sent off against Brentford, seeing him miss Sunday’s picture. And Joao Palhinha coming back to full fitness helps stabilise the midfield [37†source] [38†source].
Tactical Preview
Arsenal’s Game Plan: Arsenal will likely have a lot of possession and trickery, courtesy of their midfield trio Declan Rice Martin Ødegaard Kai Havertz. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will lead their counter attacks they have enough speed to cash in on Fulham’s back line. And that Zinchenko in particular overlaps and gives width, so expect overloads on the flank from Arsenal’s full backs.
Fulham Counterattack Strategy: On the flip side, I expect this outing to be nothing but a compact defensive performance and Arsenal failing time to time in opening up by Warming Little Soul situated low if you permit them room so they can sit. They will look to attack Arsenal using Willian and Bobby De Cordova Reid, who are pretty quick. Raul Jiménez Ball carrier, link up player
Key Matchups Arsenal vs Fulham F.C.
Saka vs Robinson: Fulham left back Antonee Robinson will be up against Arsenal’s buccaneering winger Bukayo Saka The direct running and dribbling of Saka will cause problems in the Fulham defence.
Saliba vs Jiménez: Arsenal’s replacement for a centre back is William Saliba who has the task of stopping Fulham’s main guy upfront Raul Jimenez. According to the 37 source, his skill as a defender will be very much of the main use when it comes to countering opposing counters.
Previous Encounters
Concerning their last five Premier League fixtures, Arsenal have won 4 fights and drawn once. That win at Craven Cottage in March 2023 was the Gunners’ last triumph. This is likely to be a tough fixture for the visiting Fulham, who have never won an away game at Arsenal in their previous 26 such encounters within the Premier League should they fail again.
Prediction
With their form, squad and home advantage improving Arsenal are the favourites for this. Yet Fulham’s defensive organisation worked against better teams before, which suggests this might be a tough one for Arteta. That looks set to come true based on this preview as Arsenal is much stronger in attack than Fulham is defensively fragile and the predicted 3-1 home win appears accurate.
Conclusion
Ahead of this Premier League clash between Arsenal vs Fulham F.C. The return to work for Mikel Arteta after his sending off last time out will be a key focus as well as who Marco Silva picks in his team. Arsenal, with the better side at home and bigger names on paper (though Fulham finishing above them this season isn’t implausible), will be expected to come out and play. As ministers of chaos, however unlikely as victors in the Tottenham game before this one Fulham are difficult to discount. Starting XIs and individual performances will be key in this exciting London derby.
We mentioned how likely Arsenal should make it three wins on the bounce but perhaps Fulham will cause an upset, either way, expect both teams to tactically battle each other and potentially see a moment of individual brilliance lit this game up.
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