Arsenal vs Fulham: 3 Key Battles to Decide London Derby

Arsenal vs Fulham: 3 key battles to decide London derby

Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (2R) controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 27, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Oleksandr Zinchenko returned to the fold against Palace. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

2. Oleksandr Zinchenko vs Harry Wilson

Another full-back absentee means Oleksandr Zinchenko is in line for a first-team return.

The Ukrainian made a brief appearance on Monday and used his inverted station to help Arsenal regain control from 11-man Crystal Palace, with this midfield berth likely to form a similarly important tool in repelling the Fulham attack.

Inverting enables the Gunners to keep a compact central structure even if the ball is lost, and that could be invaluable in protecting us from the 4-3-3 formation Marco Silva favours in possession.

Managerial orders for wide players to maintain width will give Harry Wilson licence to pin Zinchenko back or even combine with the overlapping full-back to exploit the defender’s questionable defensive nous, while a magical left boot may see Wilson light the game up all on his own.

Arsenal’s domination might (hopefully) limit the Cottagers’ offensive impact, but our success at either end is greatly dependent on Zinchenko. He must deliver.

Continued on the next slide…

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