Fulham vs Arsenal: Gunners aim to take huge step to first Premier League title since 2003-04 at high-flyers – TV, stream
ONE swing of Reiss Nelson’s boot left 60,000 Gooners bouncing around the Emirates, dreaming of a first title since 2003-04.
Not since Arsene Wenger‘s Invincibles have Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy.
In that time, Gunners fans have watched Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool claim top honours.
For a team that dominated in the 1990s and early 2000s, it’s barely-believable to think the red-half of North London have had to endure a near 20-year title drought.
Arsenal have often been accused of being mentally weak, with a threadbare squad starved of world-class talent.
But after staging an outrageous comeback in their last Premier League game, fans are ready to believe again.
On Saturday at the Emirates, Arsenal were a goal down within 10 seconds and, when they found themselves trailing 2-0, doubts began to creep into Gooners’ minds.
To become champions, you have to win like champions – and sometimes that means doing things the hard way.
It’s not always pretty. Thomas Partey and Ben White scrambled home a goal each to draw level against the Cherries.
But the Arsenal side continually called mentally fragile in years gone by kept scrapping until the bitter end.
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And it was super-sub Nelson, with the sweetest swing of his left boot, who secured a vital three points in their last Premier League run-out.
It speaks volumes that it wasn’t Martin Odegaard or Bukayo Saka who played the role of hero on the day.
For while they are quickly developing into world-class talents, it was a fringe player out of contract this summer who saved the day.
With a great blend of top young talent and experienced veterans, all under the leadership of a Pep Guardiola graduate, it’s looking more and more like being Arsenal’s year.
There are just 12 games left to go and while Arsenal lead Man City by just five points, they keep finding the strength to keep them at arm’s length.
Pep’s squad are seasoned veterans of the title-winning game and have a knack for a dramatic title win.
Of course, there was Sergio Aguero’s iconic last-gasp strike against QPR to snatch the 2011-12 crown – the club’s first.
But there was also last season, when an Ilkay Gundogan-inspired XI came from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on the final day to break Liverpool fans’ hearts.
Mikel Arteta knows the title race isn’t over as he guides his side to West London to take on high-flying Fulham.
From here on in, every match is must-win. Every match is a cup final. Every match is a potential banana skin.
But if any Arsenal side can sneak over the line, maybe it’s this one.
What is their form like?
Fulham: Very strong.
The Cottagers are surpassing all expectations by pushing an unlikely European place for next season.
So often caught yo-yo-ing between the Premier League and Championship, Marco Silva has his side looking genuinely threatening.
Fulham were seven matches unbeaten in all competitions – including reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals – before their heartbreaking 3-2 loss at Brentford last time out.
Arsenal: Also very strong.
The Gunners have now won their last four Premier League matches since the 3-1 top-of-the-table six-pointer defeat at the hands of Man City last month.
And on the back of their last-gasp win over Bournemouth, they’ll be full of confidence at Craven Cottage.
What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?
Fulham: Layvin Kurzawa is the latest home star to pick up an injury, with a knee issue.
He joins Tom Cairney (shin) and Neeskans Kebano (Achilles) in missing the match.
Elsewhere, Palhinha will serve the first of his two-match suspension against the Gunners.
Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus has rejoined the squad and is training after three months out with a knee injury, although this match may come too soon.
Eddie Nketiah is still out and is joined by Leanardo Trossard on the physio’s table after the latter picked up a knock against the Cherries.
Mohamed Elneny is a long-term absentee for Mikel Arteta.
Who will be the star men?
Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Back from injury, the Serbian star will look to use his physicality to wreak havoc on the Gunners back-four.
Arsenal: Martin Odegaard.
Against a strong Fulham side, Arteta will look to his captain to pull the strings in midfield and open doors for Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Co in attack – or even add to his tally of nine Premier League goals himself.
SunSport prediction
Arsenal 2 Fulham 1