Arsenal face their biggest test as Premier League leaders when they travel to Fulham this evening. Mikel Arteta's side sit top of the table, one point clear of reigning champions Liverpool, with an opportunity to extend their advantage over their title rivals.
The Gunners arrive at Craven Cottage in excellent form, having won their last four games across all competitions. Arsenal have scored eight goals and conceded just once during this impressive run, demonstrating the attacking threat and defensive solidity that has propelled them to the summit.
Injury Concerns
The visitors will be without their influential captain Martin Odegaard, who continues his recovery from an MCL injury to his left knee. The Norwegian playmaker is expected to miss several weeks, leaving a significant creative void in Arteta's midfield.
Ben White and Martin Zubimendi have been cleared to play after missing Thursday's training session. Noni Madueke is close to returning from his own knee injury but remains doubtful for today's encounter.
Fulham's Challenge
The Cottagers occupy 14th position and are seeking to bounce back from consecutive 3-1 defeats to Bournemouth and Aston Villa. Marco Silva's side have proven difficult opponents at home, particularly for Arsenal in recent seasons.
Arsenal have failed to win their last two visits to Craven Cottage, a concerning record for Arteta as his side look to maintain their winning momentum. However, the Gunners have won 13 of their last 14 overall meetings with Fulham, suggesting historical dominance in this fixture.
Fixture Congestion
This London derby marks the beginning of an intense period for Arsenal, who face seven fixtures in 21 days. The demanding schedule includes a Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, testing the depth of Arteta's squad.
Fulham could welcome back Piero Hincapie, who may make just his second appearance since joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen. The defender's return would provide Silva with additional defensive options against Arsenal's attacking threat.
Match Details
The London derby kicks off at 5:30pm BST and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage begins at 5pm BST, with Sky Sports subscribers able to stream the match via the Sky Go app.
The result could have significant implications for the title race, with Arsenal aiming to maintain their position at the top of the table. Liverpool will be watching closely as they seek to reclaim their place as league leaders.
Sources used: "Evening Standard", "Standard Sport", "Metro", "Guardian" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
