Fulham make the short journey to North London to take on Arsenal this weekend. With Arsenal`s form a little suspect, is this the opportunity for Fulham to secure that first, elusive, away win in the Premier League this season or will Arsenal come good?
Vital Quotes:
Ahead of the clash our giant Norwegian centre half, Brede Hangeland has spoken out about the mood of the camp saying,
“We are full of confidence at the moment and if we play like we do at home we can get points.”
“We`ve gone to Anfield and Villa Park, places like that and got points, so I think it`s possible again on Saturday.”
In fact, our record against the top teams only carries one blemish this season that defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Arsenal Team News:
Arsene Wenger has a few injury problems. Cesc Fabregas is a long term victim, Adebayor, Silvestre and Rosicky are all out whilst Walcott and Eduardo are unlikely to be fit enough for selection. But he should be able to call upon Abou Diaby, William Gallas and Andrey Arshavin.
Player to watch: Robin Van Persie
It`s often difficult to pre-empt Wenger`s starting eleven but we`d imagine Van Persie will start. If so, in our opinion, he poses the biggest threat. We`ll need to be aware of his presence.
Fulham Team News:
Roy Hodgson will be hoping that Andrew Johnson has recovered from the knock he sustained in training this week, a knock that kept him out of the FA Cup replay in midweek. Elsewhere in the squad, Giles Barnes is edging towards full fitness whilst Olivier Dacourt will be hoping a knock he picked up in midweek will have healed sufficiently for him to be in consideration for selection.
Here at Vital Fulham we suspect the starting eleven will not veer too far away from except with Fredrik Stoor replacing the suspended John Pantsil:-
Schwarzer, Stoorl, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey, Zamora and Johnson
Player to watch: Bobby Zamora
Has Bobby finally, after two goals in as many games, rediscovered his scoring touch? I guess there`s no better place, or opposition, to find out than Arsenal away at the Emirates Stadium.
Match Facts & Stats
Previous encounters between the two sides in the Premier League on Arsenal turf are:-
Arsenal have won 6 times, there has been 1 draw and Fulham have yet to taste victory.
In all League games at Arsenal the scenario is even worse with Arsenal notching up 19 wins, 2 fixtures have been drawn and Fulham have not won at all – depressing reading!
But, on the bright side, in the reciprocating fixture this season Fulham won 1-0 courtesy of a Brede Hangeland goal.
Ref Watch:
Peter Walton from Northamptonshire.
Match Prediction:
The Emirates is never an easy place to go to. Arsenal have dismantled many a team there in recent seasons, so, initially, the prospects of returning to our part of London looked pretty slim. But, Arsenal are going through a funny phase. They`ve not scored in their last three or four Premier League games so confidence could be a little low. Sadly, our away form is, to be honest, a little embarrassing and the suggestion that we might snatch our first away win at Arsenal might well be scoffed at by many a pundit. But, remaining cheery, I recon this could go the way of many of our away games in recent months, it`s got 0-0 written all over it! Either that or Arsenal will find their scoring boots and we`ll be licking our wounds come Saturday night!
Next Fixtures:
They sort of embarrassed us and outclassed us last time out but, as we all know, anything can happen in the FA Cup! Next weekend Fulham entertain Manchester United in a FA Cup Quarter-Final tie, could it be a case of Wembley here we come?
