Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will aim to make it three wins in three as they take on an out-of-form Fulham side at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta continued his squad experimentations in the second game running. But his players put in a monumental shift to secure three points against Crystal Palace. A second-half Martin Odegaard penalty proved enough, but the clash at Selhurst Park had its share of drama.
Takehiro Tomiyasu saw red for two quick bookable offences, although the decision created some heated debate after the game and during the current week. Arteta remained coy and insisted he loved how his team responded as Arsenal put in an ultra-defensive shift to keep the score intact.
🗣 "The team showed incredible resilience and hunger to win" 💪
Mikel Arteta reflects on Arsenal's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace after going down to 10-men. pic.twitter.com/JQBH3l143P
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 25, 2023
Next up for Arsenal are an out-of-form Fulham, and Arteta will certainly eye another win to keep the team’s 100% record intact. The Gunners will want to use this clash to apply pressure on Manchester City by taking the lead on the table and preparing well for their big clash next weekend against Manchester United.
Fulham have made a dreadful start to their campaign, putting in one of the worst defensive displays in the league. While the narrow win over Everton was more smash-and-grab, the Cottagers were thoroughly humbled on home soil by Brentford.
Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and an opening strike from Yoane Wissa ensured the three points went to Brentford, while defender Tim Ream’s sending-off will mean he will miss the Arsenal game. The Cottagers have looked subdued since the start of the season. And Silva will need thorough reinvention of ideas if they are to get anything out of the Emirates.
Following the Arsenal clash, Fulham have some tough fixtures ahead, with Tottenham in the EFL Cup and then Manchester City in the league. Anything positive out of the Emirates would help, as a defeat now and in the next game will prove catastrophic for them in the context of their objectives.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Arsenal may not have fresh injury concerns after the Crystal Palace win, but there are a few potential returnees ahead of the Fulham game. First of all, Gabriel Jesus returned to training this week, but there are low chances of Mikel Arteta involving the Brazilian against Fulham in any capacity.
Vibes 🔥
📍 London Colney pic.twitter.com/7IQzuLtG4O
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 24, 2023
The suspension of Takehiro Tomiyasu could lead to fundamental changes in their shape and style. With Oleksandr Zinchenko the most obvious candidate to replace the Japanese full-back, Arteta might reshuffle his midfield and possibly sacrifice one of Kai Havertz or Eddie Nketiah.
Thomas Partey, who has started as a right-back in the opening two games, could move at the base of midfield, with Declan Rice occupying the left-sided role. Zinchenko will likely do the inverted duties Arteta wants from his full-back, but the manager will then have to decide on his starting striker.
Meanwhile, if Zinchenko comes in, Gabriel Magalhaes could also make his first start of the season and lineup alongside William Saliba in the centre. Ben White will assume his customary right-back role, with the other parts of the team intact. However, Arteta might go with Havertz over Nketiah for the striker’s role.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Fulham
Tim Ream’s red card will see him miss this clash at the Emirates, while Joao Palhinha could return to the matchday squad, but only as a bench option. The Arsenal game could come too soon for the Portuguese midfielder, who has only recently recovered from a shoulder injury in pre-season.
Fight for the shirt. 🤍#ARSFUL pic.twitter.com/nxwDAnRlKU
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 25, 2023
Marco Silva also mentioned Willian was a doubt for this clash, meaning he could ring some tactical and personnel changes to his lineup. After suffering a lot in the opening two games, the Fulham manager might see fit to change the system slightly against Arsenal.
With that in mind, Silva could deploy a double pivot in central midfield, with Harrison Reed and Sasa Lukic taking on the responsibilities. Issa Diop and new signing Calvin Bassey will feature as the central defensive pairing, with Tete and Antonee Robinson as fullbacks.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Harry Wilson will likely play as wingers for this clash, with Ricardo Pereira in the advanced midfield role behind the striker. With Aleksandar Mitrovic playing his last game for Fulham, Raul Jimenez seems like their starting striker for now, although Silva would hope for another new signing before the window shuts.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Reed; Wilson, Pereira, De Cordova-Reid; Jimenez
Key Stats
- Arsenal are undefeated in their last 16 home matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- Arsenal have only kept two clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League matches at the Emirates.
- Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven Premier League home matches against Fulham.
- Arsenal have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight matches against Fulham in all competitions.
- Fulham have never won away at Arsenal in the league in 30 visits (D6 L24).
Player to Watch
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz stats vs Palace:
24/27 Passes
2 Chances created
90% Pass accuracy
39 Touches
4 Passes into Final third
3 RecoveriesMOST DUELS WON for the second game in a row.
People watch him and just because he doesn’t score or assist they don’t rate him and think he is a… pic.twitter.com/I8Y3ONBfbN
— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) August 22, 2023
There is a new scapegoat at Arsenal, Havertz, although the German has played exceptional football since coming to the club. The only problem is that when he has the ball, there is a level of fixation that looks for errors and ignores all the good things he does.
Havertz was one of the most hard-working players on the pitch against Crystal Palace, but his moves made him seem lazy. In any case, the forward needs to start garnering up the numbers, that is, scoring goals, and if he starts against Fulham, it’s likely in the centre-forward role.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-0 Fulham
It has been difficult for Arsenal to keep clean sheets at the Emirates. But Mikel Arteta could emphasise this when they take on Fulham. With renewed defensive resilience, the manager will want his team to shut out Fulham while scoring plenty of goals at the other end.
Fulham do not come into this clash in any sort of good form; if there is a word to describe their current condition, it’s wretched. Hence, nobody can see Marco Silva’s side getting anything from this clash, and the departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic will create problems for scoring goals, at least in the short term.
