Fulham vs Arsenal: Payback time in Premier League London derby

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Arsenal’s second Premier League London derby in seven days takes them to Craven Cottage for a high-stakes encounter against surprise package Fulham this Sunday.

With spirits sky-high following a phenomenal display in midweek top-flight action against Manchester United, they head into the game bidding to tighten the noose on Liverpool.

Second-half goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba inspired the Gunners to a morale-boosting 2-0 home triumph against old foes on Wednesday.

It was a landmark occasion for the North London giants as they posted a fourth successive home league win against the Red Devils for the first time in the club’s history.

Set-piece specialists

Arsenal relied on their signature weapon to inflict Ruben Amorim’s first defeat in charge of Man Utd, netting both goals from corner kicks.

It was the Gunners’ 21st and 22nd goal from set-piece plays since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, leading The Sun to believe that particular aspect could pave the way for a long-awaited title.

Bukayo Saka, whose corner-kick delivery led to Arsenal’s second, won the Premier League Player of the Month for the third time this season, being voted the best player in November.

Saka’s sterling exploits this term could make the difference in an intense title race.

However, the road to the podium is long and tumultuous, with table-topping Liverpool now seven points off.

The signs are promising though.

Purple patch

Wednesday’s success was Arsenal’s fourth victory on the bounce after club football returned to action in November.

Indeed, Mikel Arteta’s charges came flying out of the traps from the international break, winning every match via a multi-goal margin.

While bookies back Arsenal to reach Champions League knockouts following a 5-1 rout of Sporting CP, ending a two-decade title drought in the Premier League remains a priority for the Gunners.

Arteta’s high-flying team put West Ham United to the sword last weekend, finding the net five times before half-time in a goal-glutted 5-2 victory at the London Stadium.

Martin Odegaard scored from the spot to open his league account this season following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Odegaard’s return from injury has significantly boosted Arsenal’s scoring potential, with the Gunners averaging 3.75 goals per game after the international break.

Kings of London

Arsenal topped the London derby charts in the Premier League last term, winning seven of their 12 top-flight clashes against cross-capital rivals – at least two more than any other side.

Moreover, Arteta’s team notched an eye-catching 30 goals in those meetings, bettering second-placed Tottenham Hotspur’s haul of 19 by a fine margin.

They have continued in the same vein this season.

Except for a frustrating 1-1 draw against Chelsea last month, the Gunners have won both remaining league matches against fellow London opposition, outperforming Tottenham and West Ham.

However, it’s worth noting that two of Arsenal’s five winless London derbies in 2023/24 came against Fulham.

After a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in August 2023, they slipped to a season-defining 2-1 defeat on this ground on New Year’s Eve.

That loss marked the beginning of the end for the Gunners’ title hopes, and they’ll be out to settle the account with the Cottagers this weekend.

Prediction

Before last season’s upset, Arsenal had enjoyed a remarkable run on Fulham’s home ground, beating Marco Silva’s side in five consecutive away league matches.

Considering the Gunners’ noticeable uptick in form after the international break, a continuation of their winning ways at Craven Cottage seems highly probable.

They’d still be well-advised not to take anything for granted.

Last Saturday’s triumph at West Ham was their first in away league action after a four-match winless streak, highlighting the importance of approaching this fixture without complacency.

On the other hand, Fulham closed the distance on fourth-placed Man City to four points with a scintillating 3-1 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.

That will undoubtedly bolster the Cottagers’ morale, but toppling Arsenal twice in a row for the first time in the 21st century is probably beyond them.

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