Arsenal are set to participate in a second successive Premier League London derby against Fulham. And they'll be hoping it goes better than the first.
It was a day to forget for former West Ham star Declan Rice. After seeing Aston Villa slip up at Old Trafford and Liverpool beat Burnley, three points for the Gunners on Thursday would have been enough to take them back to the top. However, goals from Tomas Soucek and Dinos Mavropanos saw West Ham deliver a huge blow to their title aspirations. And it also meant that Mikel Arteta's men are now two points adrift of league leaders Liverpool who host Newcastle on New Year's Day.
But they'll be expected to bounce back against Fulham side who have conceded EIGHT goals in their last three Prem matches without scoring any.
Arsenal are desperate to get their hands on a league title after falling brutally short last term. Man City clawed their way back to eventually win the Treble. But despite Pep Guardiola's men looking weaker than in previous seasons, Arsenal are still unable to top the table. That's because Liverpool now sit at the summit, leading the Gunners by two points following Thursday's defeat to West Ham.
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What is their form like?
Fulham recorded back-to-back 5-0 league wins over Nottingham Forest and West Ham earlier this month. But they have since lost to Newcastle, Burnley and Bournemouth – failing to score in any of those defeats. And as a result they lie 13th in the Premier League table. As for Arsenal, they've managed just one win in their last four games – with two of those matches ending in defeat. Three of their last four wins have come by a one-goal margin. And it means the Gunners have surrendered top spot to Liverpool, with Man City breathing down their neck.
What is the team news?
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks set to continue without the quartet of Tim Ream (calf), Steven Benda (achilles), Adama Traore (thigh) and Willian (thigh). While Mikel Arteta also has four key members unavailable to him; Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Fabio Vieira (groin), Thomas Partey (muscle) and Jurrien Timber (knee). However, the Gunners gaffer will be delighted to welcome Kai Havertz back to the fold after his one-match suspension.
Who are the star men?
Fulham will be looking to Andreas Pereira for inspiration from midfield against Arsenal. And the Gunners will also want to dominate the park, with Martin Odegaard likely to step up.
What have the managers said?
Marco Silva: "I would like to see a little bit more consistency in the next months. It is important to build squad depth. It is going to happen where we have injuries and the more of the same quality overall that we have I think will be better for us. What we can do behind the scenes to improve our squad is of course something I would like to see, I'm open for it and I want it as well. My job is to focus on the players we have and if we have 19 or 20 players, my job is to push them, make them go forward and to demand more and more every time." Mikel Arteta: "We have to try to generate. If we don’t score goals in thirty shots, we have to do fifty or sixty to try to score, it’s the only thing. I cannot imagine a game that you have more dominance, more touches in the box, less situations of the opponents against a really good West Ham side, but it wasn’t enough to win the game. What we have is the players that we have, it’s the players that I love the most. What we have to do is try to get better situations, and more training, put them there and raise their confidence and that’s it because they have done it."
SunSport's prediction
Arsenal may have lost their grip on top spot after their defeat to West Ham. But we expect them to bounce back against a Fulham side who are suddenly leaking goals. Arsenal have plenty of strength in depth even though they are struggling for a clinical edge. And Mikel Arteta's men should have enough to edge the game at Craven Cottage. Final score prediction: Fulham 0 Arsenal 1
When is Fulham vs Arsenal?
- Arsenal's Premier League London derby against Fulham will take place on Sunday, January 31.
- It is scheduled to get underway at 2pm GMT.
- Craven Cottage is the allocated arena for this match and it can host approximately 25,700 fans.
- Joao Palhinha's late goal helped Fulham hold Arsenal to a 2-2 draw when the sides last met in August.
What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
- Fulham vs Arsenal will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
- Coverage is expected to commence from 1:30pm GMT on both channels – 30 minutes before kick-off.
- Fans can also stream the entire action on NOW TV.
- Alternatively, follow SunSport's blog for minute-by-minute coverage of the match.
What are the latest odds?
- Fulham to win 9/2
- Draw 10/3
- Arsenal to win 1/2
*Odds courtesy of Paddy Power are correct at time of publication
