As Premier League action resumes this weekend, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal travel across London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Gunners are back in form after two straight league wins before the international break and will be looking to maintain their momentum at the top of the table.
Fulham vs Arsenal: Key Numbers
According to Opta’s latest data, Arsenal are favorites in 56.7% of simulated outcomes. Fulham, meanwhile, have lost their last two league matches and risk a third straight defeat for the first time since late 2023.
Arsenal have been nearly unbeatable in London derbies, losing just once in their last 18 top flight clashes against city rivals. That lone loss came against West Ham last season.
Arsenal’s Title Push
The Gunners currently lead the Premier League standings by a single point ahead of Liverpool. Their recent wins over Newcastle United and West Ham were driven by Declan Rice, who had a direct hand in goals in both games. The England international has been influential in away London derbies, contributing six goal involvements in his last seven such fixtures.
Arteta’s men have shared the goals around this season, boasting nine different scorers, the joint most in the league alongside Brighton. Injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have not slowed them down, while Viktor Gyökeres continues to settle in quickly as Arsenal’s new focal point in attack.
Who’s In and Who’s Out
Martin Ødegaard and Noni Madueke are unavailable, so Bukayo Saka will once again be key on the right flank. Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze are all expected to support Gyökeres in attack.
Defensively, Arsenal have tightened up impressively, with no opponent registering more than 10 shots in their last six league games. Piero Hincapié may return to the bench after missing recent fixtures.
Fulham’s Struggles
Marco Silva’s men enter this clash in poor form, conceding three goals in each of their last two defeats to Aston Villa and Bournemouth. Their last similar defensive slump came in 2020, and that run included a 3-0 home loss to Arsenal.
Still, Fulham’s home record offers some hope as they’ve won their last two league games at Craven Cottage and are unbeaten in their first three home outings this season. However, they’ll be without Kenny Tete, Sasa Lukic and Rodrigo Muniz. Raúl Jiménez faces a late fitness test.
Alex Iwobi, once a Gunner himself, will be eager to impress. He ranks among the league’s best for line breaking passes into the box, trailing only Bruno Fernandes this season.
Head to Head
Arsenal have dominated this fixture historically, losing just one of their last 14 league meetings with Fulham. That single defeat came in December 2023 at Craven Cottage. The Gunners have also scored in each of their last 20 Premier League encounters against the Cottagers.
Prediction
Opta’s supercomputer predicts another Arsenal victory, giving the Gunners a 56.7% chance of winning. Fulham are projected to take all three points in 21.5% of simulations, while the draw stands at 21.8%.
Predicted Lineups
Fulham: Bernd Leno, Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Ryan Sessegnon, Tom Cairney, Sander Berge, Harry Wilson, Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi, Josh King
Manager: Marco Silva
Arsenal: David Raya, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyökeres
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Arsenal will be expected to continue their impressive London derby record, but Fulham’s home form means Arteta’s side cannot afford complacency.
Prediction: Fulham 1–3 Arsenal
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