Morning all.
Premier League football is back, Arsenal are back with a tricky away fixture against Fulham. History tells us this fixture is usually good for Arsenal but last season, we only managed to come away from Craven Cottage with a point. We’d been all over Silva’s team during the first ten minutes of the game with the home team barely able to get out of their own half but then in a flash, we were a goal behind. Tete played a pass out to Jimenez on the right and the Mexican breezed past Jakub Kiwior before firing the ball past David Raya. William Saliba equalised in the second half, Bukayo Saka had a goal disallowed for offside and we missed other opportunities to take all three points but it was one of those games, one of many last season, when regardless of how hard the players tried, they just couldn’t get a winner.
Team news:
Piero Hincapie is fit again while Martin Zubimendi and Ben White should be fine despite missing training this week. Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus remain out although Madueke is close to returning to training.
Fulham have a few missing too. Sasa Lukic and Antonee Robinson are ruled while Raul Jimenez, Kenny Tete and Samuel Chukwueze are doubts.
It will be interesting to see if Silva continues with the surprise 3-4-2-1 formation he used last time out at Bournemouth. He is usually more of a 4-2-3-1 man, so was that a one-off, or is it signalling a new direction? Having lost that game, my hunch is that he will revert to a back four, but all eyes will be on his teamsheet.
Fulham’s home form has been solid. Unbeaten in three outings, they have faced just 28 shots at Craven Cottage – the only top-flight side to have faced fewer on home turf is us! So, we may have to be patient in our attempts to break them down. Hopeful balls played into the box should be avoided as centre back Joachim Andersen is dominant inside his own area.
In this fixture last season, Silva abandoned his possession-based approach to sit in with just a 34% share of the ball. Having snatched a 1-1 draw via a counter-attack, do not be surprised if that tactical policy is repeated, but the injury to their best off-the-ball midfielder Lukic means central midfield is an area we should look to dominate.
Former Gunner Alex Iwobi is possibly the biggest dangerman. He has one goal and two assists to his name at Craven Cottage this term, and is very much their chief creator with nine key passes, four through balls and six successful open play crosses. His battle with Jurrien Timber will be one to keep an eye on.
I watched some of Fulham’s last match which was against Bournemouth on the south coast. Having scored the opening goal on 70 minutes, it looked like they were heading for three points but the five minutes later, the home side came alive, or rather Semenyo did. Two quality goals either side of a stunner from Kluveit left Fulham well and truly beaten.
Mikel Arteta is always respectful towards the opposition during his pre match press conference and he’s been no different on this occasion. Fulham can be a difficult opponent on their own turf for any club and Arsenal will need a strong performance if they are to win.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico,
Bernd Leno is in a decent run of form, when he was with us he had a few iffy games causing us to drop points. Let’s hope he has another one today.
Joachim Anderson will have his work cut out dealing with the physicality of Gyokeres leaving, hopefully, room for Saka to work his magic on the right.
I’m quietly confident of taking all three points down by the riverside.
Morning Cicero, all.
He was but he gifted Bournemouth an equaliser in their last game as the ball went through his legs. 😜
I’m looking forward to seeing Eze at 10.
Instead of Nwaneri with Martinelli on the left wing?
Morning rico, all. Finally a match again, how long does it seem, and to think another break in November? On the bright side, no injuries during break. Hoping Saka or Eze lay one on a plate for Gyokeres and get him off and running before the social media mafia start to highlight him again. Roll on 5.30🤞
Good point, Nwaneri has just played twice for England I believe..
Morning Andrew, I hope so too. He just needs a goal or two to get him going hopefully.
My guess is:
Raya
White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori
Rice Norgaard
Eze
Saka Gyokeres Trossard
Afternoon all,
I wouldn’t be surprised to see aZubemendi or Rice rested with midweek in mind,replaced by Merino.
Otherwise does Eze play centrally or wide left is the question,I would love to see him centrally.
Arteta seems to prefer Trossard to Martinelli,whatever team he picks the bench will be strong.
These away games after an international break are always potentially tough.
Lots of former players in Fulhams squad.
Hello!
Hope we win but no predictions.
I forgot we play midweek, a tough fixture too but honestly, I hope Arteta worries about that game after today.