Arsenal vs Fulham preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

Arsenal are in Premier League action as they host relegation threatened Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday following Thursday’s superb Europa League success. Here is the preview.

There will be no referendum. No inquest. No disheartened supporters baying for blood. At least for a few more weeks, that is.

Putting Slavia Prague to the sword in the manner Arsenal did was everything supporters hoped for and arguably not what they expected. Having conceded that careless stoppage time goal in the first leg, there were mixed emotions aplenty ahead of the 4-0 rout. Never in doubt, eh?

After an uncomfortable, shall we say, opening 15 minutes Arsenal found their rhythm and let the whole of Prague hear it. Some scintillating football was on show at the Sinobo Stadium as Mikel Arteta’s side blew their opponents away with three goals in quick succession. Three thoroughly deserved ones at that.

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Arsenal vs Fulham preview: Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium

From there it was all about game management, a facet of this Gunners that has been impossible to nail down. Of course, they were aided by a shell shocked Slavia Prague team who looked more intent on damage limitation as opposed to fighting their way back into the tie, but it was nonetheless encouraging.

On Sunday awaits an entirely different test. Fulham steadied themselves after a torrid start to life in the Premier League with a good run of form from February to March, but have since tailed off losing each of their last four league fixtures. Sitting six points adrift of Newcastle and occupying the final relegation spot, their plight looks perilous having played one more fixture than the Magpies.

A win is all that will do for Scott Parker’s side in north London if they are to complete a memorable survival push, meaning their approach could play into Arsenal hands.

Any side fighting for their lives will pose problems, and after their midweek excursions Arsenal could be slightly fatigued, although this is a fixture with the hosts firmly listed as favourites. Arteta has regularly stated that until it is mathematically impossible, his side will fight for European qualification – regardless of how unlikely that may be.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Sunday 18 April
What Time Is Kick Off? 13:30 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Emirates Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Craig Pawson

Arsenal Team News vs Fulham

Everyone’s best wishes are extended to the captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, after it was revealed he had contracted malaria while away on international duty with Gabon.

There were question marks over whether or not the initial ‘flu’ diagnosis was indeed fabrication and a cover-up for internal issues, but that is not the case, and any suggestions otherwise deserve an apology. This writer extends his.

While we wish him a speedy recovery, it’s unsure whether that will be in time for Sunday. Arteta insisted he was ‘fine’ and resting at home, but the weekend may come too soon.

Kieran Tierney and David Luiz remain the longer term absentees, with the former not expected to return this season after his injury suffered against Liverpool and the latter remaining listed as back in the ‘upcoming weeks’.

Martin Odegaard is the other key figure sidelined with an ankle issue suffered while with Norway, and while he was touch and go for Thursday, having not trained in the build-up it suggests he could be given extra time to recover ahead of the following week’s clash with Everton.

As for Fulham, they are sweating on the fitness of Ademola Lookman after the forward wasn’t fit enough to feature in their loss with Wolves last time out. He will undergo a late fitness test.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is set to start up front with Ivan Cavaleiro and Josh Maja further down the pecking order, although an interesting stat reveals that the Serbian has featured in more London derbies than any other player in the history of the competition without winning (14 losses from 16).

Tom Cairney is a certainty not to feature with Marek Rodak the other confirmed absentee.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Fulham

Arsenal: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric; Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette

Fulham: Areola; Tete, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Aina; Reed, Lemina, Reid, Loftus-Cheek, Cavaleiro; Mitrovic

Arsenal vs Fulham Score Prediction

Fulham have come a long way from the opening day defeat against Arsenal way back in September, gutting out their entire back five and looking a stronger unit as a result. In fact, almost the entire lineup from that fixture is altered.

Parker realised the weaknesses (the team, basically) and sought to change his sides fortunes, and while it has worked in patches, they remain unstable defensively and goal shy up front.

Their lack of attacking threat can be linked to a systematic issue, as well as outright quality. There are some likable players in their squad who can turn up on their day, while other times it appears as if there is a Jose Mourinho-esque mantra as getting up to that end of the pitch and leaving it to the individuals to make things happen.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1383013564177342464

Aside from all their shortcomings, this match has an air of do-or-die about it for the Cottagers. Depending on Newcastle’s result on Saturday they could find themselves nine points adrift with six matches to play. Nerves may kick in early doors if Fulham find themselves under Arsenal pressure.

Equally, they could play with a freedom of expression, the mentality that suits many of the players in their squad. However, when it comes down to overall quality, even with changes expected from Arteta, the Gunners are well placed to see this one out.

Arteta will doubtlessly have told his players the fixtures ahead of them in the top-flight are presentable opportunities to get a run together, one that could ultimately give them the boost to see them all the way in the Europa League.

17th place on home soil is another chance for a clean sheet and three points, and while Arsenal have allowed complacency to seep into their game after positives results this season, surely this time they’ve learnt their lesson.

Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Fulham