In what will be Mikel Arteta’s 100th Premier League game in charge, we look for a fourth straight win at Fulham’s expense on Saturday.
The omens are good as we have never lost at home to Fulham in 30 games, however the Cottagers came close to changing that on their last visit in April 2021 before Eddie Nketiah struck late to earn an equaliser.
That result was a major factor in their relegation that term, but they bounced back at the first attempt under Marco Silva as champions, and that momentum has continued into this season as they look to remain unbeaten in their first four top-flight games. season for the second time.
full of confidence
After being relegated in each of their last two Premier League campaigns, the Cottagers are determined not to complete an unwanted hat-trick this time around, and Silva’s summer recruits have already started to make an impact.
The main arrival is Joao Palhinha, and the £17m defensive midfielder scored in a 3-2 win against Brentford last weekend, while full-back Kevin Mbabu assisted last season’s 43-goal hero Aleksandar Mitrovic. , in the last goal of the victory.
Bernt Leno made his debut in that game after leaving the Emirates Stadium, while former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira also started, with Issa Diop making his debut in the Carabao Cup loss to Crawley Town on Tuesday night. night, a huge surprise given Fulham’s impressive start which has seen them draw against Liverpool and Wolves before beating west London rivals.
What managers say
Arteta on Fulham: “It’s going to be a really tough game. They’ve had an amazing run: last year in the Championship they did extremely well and haven’t lost a game in the Premier League yet.
“They have played against three very difficult opponents, so thanks to them. I think it will be a difficult match.” – read every word of Mikel’s pre-match press conference
Silva about us: “I think he is [Arteta] one of the best examples of when you believe in the people who are in charge of your club, managing your club.
“When you believe in the squad, it can’t be a bad run, a bad month, even if it’s one of the biggest clubs in this country, or three or four bad games that can change everything.
“Of course, after a while, everything will get back on track. With time and support, and of course it’s clear what they did in the market, some pieces that they brought to give them the extra that they needed, they started very well”.
team news
Our only injury loss is Reiss Nelson, who picked up a muscle injury in training before our last home game against Leicester City, while Fabio Vieira could make his debut after being an unused substitute in the win at Bournemouth last weekend. of week.
Neeskens Kabano hurt his groin during the 0-0 draw against Wolves a fortnight ago and may miss, while summer newcomer Manor Solomon needs knee surgery after injuring himself in a friendly behind closed doors; a similar fate that has also sidelined Harry Wilson.
Speaking of tactics
Michael Cox, writing in the program of the day: This Fulham team shamelessly relies on Mitrovic’s goal, who looks like a different player with Silva – more mobile and more involved in the link game. Clearly Silva’s attacking philosophy suits him better, as Fulham get more of the ball in the final third and cross into the box. He has also created goals by getting around Virgil van Dijk and then Pontus Jansson when he swerves into the left channel.
In the center of midfield, Palhinha looks like one of the summer’s signings: a dominant, physical midfielder who also offers a threat from set pieces, nodding against Brentford last weekend. He plays alongside Harrison Reed, a terrier midfielder and careful passer.
It is notable that Fulham’s four-man defense was present at their last attempt at survival in the Premier League. Left-back Antonee Robinson dealt well with Mohamed Salah in the opening weekend and can make dangerous progress in the overlap, while Kenny Tete is a solid operator on the right. He was replaced by Swiss international Mbabu midway through the second half last week, who assisted the winner, so he could be in line to start here.
Pre-match information
Gabriel Jesus has been involved in five goals in his first three Premier League appearances for us (2 goals, 3 assists), the most of any Gunners player in his first three games for the club in the competition.
Jesus has also had four goals and four assists in his last four Premier League starts against newly promoted opponents.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has taken more shots (15) than any other player in the first three Premier League games this season. His three goals are as many as he scored in Fulham’s last campaign in the top flight (2020/21).
The Cottagers have won just one of their last 15 Premier League games against us (D5 L9) and have not won in eight since a 2-1 win at home in January 2012.
We are unbeaten in their last 33 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W28 D5) since a 1-0 loss to Newcastle United in November 2010.
We have won our last four Premier League home games, scoring at least four times in the last two (5-1 Everton, 4-2 Leicester). We haven’t scored more than 4 goals in three consecutive home league games since May-September 2010 (4-0 Fulham, 6-0 Blackpool, 4-1 Bolton).
In only four previous campaigns in the top flight have we won each of their first four games of a season: 1930/31 (first five), 1947/48 (first six), 2003/04 (first four) and 2004/05 ( first five).
After ending a run of 24 Premier League winless games in London derbies last weekend, Fulham are looking to win back-to-back derbies in the top flight for the first time since April 2013.
match referees
Jarred Gillett has hosted this match, which is his third appointment with the Gunners since being promoted to the Premier League at the start of last season.
The Aussie oversaw our 3-0 Carabao Cup win against AFC Wimbledon last September, as well as a 3-0 victory against Southampton three months later.
- Referee: Jared Gillett
- Assistant Referee 1: Simon Long
- Assistant Referee 2: Richard West
- Fourth official: Thomas Bramall
- Video Assistant Referee: Michael Oliver
- Additional Video Assistant Referee: Lee Betts
Emirates recent clashes
As well as the aforementioned 1-1 draw in April 2021 where Nketiah canceled out a Josh Maja penalty, we recorded a 4-1 victory on New Year’s Day 2019 when Bukayo Saka made his league debut.
That had been the Cottagers’ first visit to N5 in almost five years, when a brace from Santi Cazorla helped us win 2-0 in the 2013/14 campaign.
live breakdown
Nick Bright and Adrian Clarke are in the My Arsenal Rewards box with all the talk and analysis you need on Fulham’s game ahead of live commentary from Dan Roebuck and former striker David Hillier.
Our female players Kim Little, Katie McCabe and Jen Beattie are also live in the studio, fresh off tour, ahead of the start of the new WSL season.
Other readings
On Saturday there will be some special guests as our women’s team will take part in a lap of honour, led by our continental champions.
Find out all the statistics of Mikel Arteta’s 100th term in the Premier League.
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