Arsenal host Fulham at The Emirates this Saturday looking to recover from the poor showing at Old Trafford last week. The Gunners are currently in 7th spot, and have experienced their worst start to a Premier League campaign under manager Arsene
Wenger.
The North London club has only managed 15 points from 10 games, with Fulham also experiencing the same fortune. However, Fulham have been impressive of late, and luckily managed a 2-2 draw at home against Everton in an entertaining game last weekend.
If Arsenal were looking to challenge for the league title, they certainly have not made their case. The club is 9 points behind league leaders Manchester United, and seriously need a win in their next two games to regain their momentum.
Next week’s game against Tottenham presents a challenging task for the club, and if they win against Fulham, they will have set the tone for a London derby that looks set to be an enthralling encounter.
Arsenal
Expected starting line-up:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896, Olivier Giroud.
Arsenal are still without first choice goalkeeper Wojech Szczesny, who is still ruled out injured. However, Mannone has been impressive in goal (though his positioning still leaves a lot to be desired) and the Gunners won’t fret too much over the absence
of the Pole.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 was missing from the Champions League game against Schalke, but is expected back on the bench. Chamberlain still struggles with a hamstring injury while Wilshere will serve his one-game ban following his sending off at Old Trafford.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santos-c32532 is expected on the bench after his poor performance against Manchester United last week. Though Thomas Vermaelen has not himself been any great lately, the Belgian
proved to be a better option at left-back than the Brazilian, who seems more interested in swapping jerseys with opponents rather than defending against them.
Coquelin is expected to fill in for Wilshere, offering a more defensive presence in the middle alongside http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mikel-Arteta-c25715. Cazorla will play in his usual central attacking position.
Walcott may get his a start after some fine scoring form, with Giroud up front and Podolski on the left wing. The front trio has shown promise, with Giroud and Walcott scoring midweek against Schalke.
Fulham
Expected starting line-up:
Mark Schwarzer, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254, Bryan Ruiz.
Fulham may have only one change from the team that played at Craven Cottage last week against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Rodallega-c16414 is expected back in the side after the player made way for Alexander Kacaniklic last weekend.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 player.
The back four remains the same, and Sidwell is to be the only change in midfield. Dimitar Berbatov starts up front as the club’s first choice striker, but will be paired alongside Rodallega as Fulham look to upset http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429.
Final score
I predict a 2-1 score line to Arsenal, with Walcott and Giroud on the score sheet and Fulham to get a consolation through Berbatov. The game will be a close affair though, with Arsenal shaky at the back but dominant in midfield.
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