English Premier League - Match Preview: Arsenal versus Fulham
The London derby on Saturday, 4th of December will see Mark Hughes’ Fulham side facing a difficult duty of trying to not sink themselves into the relegation zone, which is currently occupied by Wigan Athletic, West Ham United and Wolverhampton
Wanderers. The Cottagers currently sit on the 17th position, with a tremendous task of extracting even a point from third-in-the-table Arsenal. Arsene Wenger’s men have acquired a total of twenty nine points, the same as second placed Chelsea, from
fifteen matches. Chelsea lead only by a goal difference, but all that could change with the Blues current struggle in form. The Cottagers have obtained fifteen points from fifteen matches.
The statistics look dismal for Mark Hughes’ men, as Fulham have never succeeding in beating the Gunners in the English Premier League. Arsenal have not let the Cottagers win while travelling in any competition for twenty four matches. Fulham have lost in
twenty one of those fixtures. The current Liverpool manager, Roy Hodgson was in charge of Fulham last year. He saw his former side lose in North London against the Gunners in a match which ended in a 4-0 score line. The match was also Hodgson’s last game as
in charge of Fulham.
Cottagers may find refuge in the fact that despite resting on the third position, Arsene’s men have not been the epitome of consistency this season. They managed to win their last match against a struggling Everton side (one spot above Fulham), but succumbed
to a defeat at the hands of their other London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. The defeat against the Spurs was their second defeat in November, after losing to Newcastle. The Gunners managed to score four against Aston Villa before the Wigan match (a Carling Cup
fixture) and were defeated by Braga (two goals to nil) in their UEFA Champions League fixture after the Tottenham game. Arsenal have won nine matches out of their last fifteen, with two of the remaining fixtures resulting in draws. Fulham have managed nine
draws, two wins and four losses this season. Arsenal have scored a stunning thirty two goals so far in the season, with Fulham managing only fifteen but conceding eighteen; Wenger’s men have conceded one less. Fulham could only administer one win in their
last six matches (a win against Wigan, with the score settling at 2-0).
The Cottagers’ club are currently in a court room battle against Sir David Richards. Fulham have accused the Premier League Chairman of meddling in matters which saw their attempt to sign current Tottenham player, Peter Crouch in July 2009, fail. The club
have sought to have him removed or at the least put a halt to his connection concerning transfers in the English Premier League. The first of December saw Fulham appeal against the decision by the High Court for the club and Richards to settle the case through
arbitration. The club’s official statement read “Fulham intends to take its case to the Court of Appeal so that this important issue can be resolved in its favour.”
The issue that Fulham have sought compensation for by ousting Sir Richards, is that the club aimed to buy Peter Crouch for eleven million pounds, which is two million pounds less than what he joined the Spurs for. Crouch’s club at the time, Portsmouth was
in exorbitant debt, with their existence being threatened and Richards’ involvement was through his conferring with Peter Storrie- Portsmouth’s chief executive at the time and a friend of Richards. Fulham have pressed charges against the chairman, by explaining
that his involvement in the matter was a violation of Football Association rules and English Premier League rules, as he failed to show equality by siding with Tottenham over Fulham (perhaps because Tottenham had offered to pay all the money up front, whereas
Fulham had the plan of paying in instalments).
The Cottagers will aim to not carry their off the field issues when playing at the Emirates on Saturday. Dembele and Salcido will not feature due to ankle injuries. Halliche is said to be suffering with a thigh problem, Senderos with an Achilles, Stoor with
a groin problem and Zamora with his injured leg, will all be absent for the Arsenal match.
The Gunners will be without their first choice goal keeper, Almunia, who has an injured elbow and striker Fabregas with a hamstring injury. Frimpong and Vermaelen will not face the Cottagers due to a knee injury and Achilles injury respectively.
Tags: