Arsenal vs Fulham: ARS vs FUL – Arsenal are aiming to go 3 for 3 in their first 3 matches of the Premier League after 2 wins against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Both of their opening 2 games were narrow wins, so the Gunners will be aiming to improve against Fulham. Mikel Arteta and Co. will be aiming to get a head start early in the season. However, they have a few injury concerns and defensive issues that could worry them into this match as well.
In the pre-season campaign, Arsenal lost 1, drew 2, and won 2 matches. In the Emirates Cup friendly, they faced Monaco and drew by a 1-1 margin. However, they won during the penalty shootout. Next, in the FA Community Shield final, they faced reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. That match ended in a 1-1 draw as well. However, the Gunners won that match as well during the penalty shootout. It was a good start for the Gunners before the season started.
Their opening match was against Nottingham Forest in which they kept a 2-0 lead for the most part of the game. However, in the 82nd minute, they conceded and that has been the story for Arteta’s men at home. They have only been able to keep a single clean sheet in their last 8 Premier League home games. However, as they will be facing Fulham next, they have some hope. So far, they managed to score a single goal on the road and none at home.
Fulham’s recent run in front of goal is not inspiring. Additionally, similar to the Gunners, Fulham are suffering in their defense. Hence, Arsenal have an upper hand going into their third Premier League match. Similar to their opening match, Arsenal struggled against a well-balanced Crystal Palace defense as well. In the last few minutes of the game, they had to fight back harder and Takehiro Tomiyasu received a red card. It was a result of two yellows he received in the span of 7 minutes.
Hence, he will not be in the squad for this match serving suspension. He replaced the injured Jurrien Timber who is suffering from an ACL issue. Arsenal are now one of only three teams in the Premier League that managed to win both of their opening two games. However, as both of their games have ended in narrow wins, they’re currently occupying the third place in the Premier League table. They’re behind the current 2nd-placed Manchester City and 1st-placed Brentford.
Arsenal’s injury list includes Gabriel Jesus who is suffering from a knee issue, Folarin Balogun who’s nursing a foot injury, and Albert Sambi Lokonga who’s suffering from a muscular problem. Jesus has returned to training, but Balogun and Jesus could leave the club soon. Lokonga could leave before the end of the month as well. On a good note, Oleksandr Zinchenko is fully fit and will take suspended Tomiyasu’s place. Kieran Tierney could still need to wait longer to start in the first XI.
