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Arsenal will welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 as they continue their push for a better 2023-2024 Premier League season.
So far this season, the Gunners are one of just three teams to start the campaign with two victories in two games which has helped them remain third in the early standings, behind the reigning champions Manchester City and early leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.
With their 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday, August 21, the Gunners kept 200 consecutive Premier League road clean sheets; only Chelsea (204) and Manchester United (205) have more.
However, it is an open secret that Arsenal’s defense has issues at home. Coach Mikel Arteta’s team had only one clean sheet in their past eight Premier League games played in front of their home fans.
But the good news is that Fulham’s recent goal-scoring efforts have not been indicative of a team that can compete with the Gunners.
Talking about Fulham, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s high-profile transfer to Al-Hilal marked the end of a protracted transfer process that almost destabilized the squad.
Fulham boss Marco Silva is already making preparations for life after the departed club’s talisman but the side don’t seem ready for an away game against a resilient Arsenal side.
Recall that Silva’s boys were humiliated 3-0 by Brentford last weekend after a smash-and-grab victory at Everton’s stadium that could have easily gone the Toffees’ way on a good day.
Hence, it would be a shocker of the weekend if Fulham get more than a point at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Arsenal vs. Fulham: Team News
Arsenal fullback, Tomiyasu will miss this London derby due to a suspension as he was sent off after two bookable offenses against Palace last weekend. Jurrien Timber is still sidelined as he battles to recover from an ACL injury.
Albert Sambi Lokonga’s muscular issue has not changed, although the Belgian is most likely to join the team before the month is over. Strikers Gabriel Jesus and Folarin Balogun are also sidelined with knee and foot issues.
With his improved fitness level, Oleksandr Zinchenko, who came off the bench against Palace, could take Tomiyasu’s place on the left side of the field this weekend.
As for Fulham, Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey might pair with Issa Diop in defense against Arsenal as the ostracized Tosin Adarabioyo looks for a transfer away from the club.
Fulham will also be without Ream who was given his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards in their loss to Brentford.
The good news for Fulham is that the club’s midfielder Joao Palhinha is back from a shoulder injury which means the club does not have any other injury worries.
Arsenal probable lineup:
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Fulham probable lineup:
Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Traore, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; Jimenez
Prediction:
Arsenal have an 80 percent chance of beating Fulham at the Emirates Stadium and it would be a shocker if it happens otherwise. The game should end 3-1 in favour of the Gunners.
The post Arsenal vs. Fulham Preview: Team News, Probable Lineups, Prediction appeared first on Naija News.
