Arsenal vs Fulham: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction  | OneFootball

Arsenal welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium for the Premier League’s London derby clash on Saturday.

After edging a tight 1-0 win in October’s reverse fixture, the Gunners will be eager to complete the league double over the Cottagers and restore a six-point cushion at the summit of the Premier League.

Match preview

Arsenal come into this fixture on the back of a 1-1 stalemate against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday.

The Gunners took the lead just before halftime through Viktor Gyokeres, who converted from the penalty spot in the 44th minute after being fouled inside the box.

In the 56th minute, Julian Alvarez restored parity for Atletico from the spot after a VAR review ruled that Ben White had handled the ball in the area.

The visitors were awarded another penalty late on when Eberechi Eze went down under the challenge of David Hancko in the area, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned.

Back to domestic action, Arsenal snapped their two-game losing streak with a narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle United, reclaiming the top spot and moving three points clear of Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s side could extend their lead to six points with victory over the Cottagers, with Manchester City not in action until Monday against Everton.

Arsenal have never lost in 32 home league games against Fulham (W25 D7), the most any side has faced another without defeat in English Football League history.

Fulham halted their goal drought with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa, courtesy of Ryan Sessegnon’s first-half strike.

Marco Silva’s side has drawn blanks in four of their last six league matches but have won both games in which they scored during that spell (3-1 vs Burnley, 1-0 vs Aston Villa).

The Cottagers have won just one of their last 15 Premier League games against Arsenal (D4 L10), a 2-1 home win in December 2023.

Team news

Kai Havertz was forced off with a muscular injury in the Newcastle victory and is a doubt, while Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are definitely out.

Riccardo Calafiori was an unused substitute on Wednesday and could feature in this game.

The visitors are sweating over the fitness of Sessegnon after he was forced off against Villa.

Alexander Iwobi, Kenny Tete and Kevin are sidelined with injuries.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Eze, Gyokeres.

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Lukic, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze, Jimenez.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham.