Arsenal welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon in gameweek three of the 2023–24 Premier League campaign as they look to maintain their recent dominance in London derbies.
In their most recent meetings in the capital, the two teams had different outcomes: Mikel Arteta’s team defeated Crystal Palace 1-0, while the Cottagers lost to Brentford 3-0 at home.
Arsenal had trouble getting going against a well-drilled Palace defence on Monday night, much like they did in the second half of their opening Premier League match against Nottingham Forest.
They had their backs against the wall for the final few minutes, and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s controversial red card didn’t help matters.
After Tomiyasu received two doubtful bookings in the span of seven minutes, which sparked much discussion following the game, a composed Martin Odegaard penalty gave Arsenal the lead. However, the Gunners’ love of London derbies came to the fore as they continued their undefeated start to the new season.
Arsenal, one of only three clubs to begin the 2023–24 Premier League season with two victories, is presently seated in third position in the early rankings, trailing only champions Manchester City and early leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.
Arsenal’s success at Selhurst Park ended a four-game losing streak on Monday evenings under Arteta. The Gunners also recorded their 200th Premier League away clean sheet; only Manchester United (205) and Chelsea (204) have more. However, it is no secret that Arsenal’s defence struggles at home.
Even though Arteta’s team has only recorded one shutout in their previous eight Premier League games played in front of the Emirates faithful, Fulham’s latest goal-scoring performances have not been indicative of a team that can compete with the Gunners.
With Aleksandar Mitrovic’s high-profile departure to Al-Hilal, the lengthy and uncomfortable transfer drama has finally come to an end. Fulham manager Marco Silva is now busy making arrangements for life without the legendary striker, which hasn’t exactly gotten off to the greatest of beginnings.
After a smash-and-grab victory at Everton’s stadium, which might have been on the Toffees’ way on a different occasion, Silva’s team suffered a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Brentford.
At Craven Cottage, where Tim Ream additionally had to take a path of embarrassment, Bryan Mbeumo scored twice and Yoane Wissa scored once.
Before their trip to the Emirates, where numerous will be anticipating their fresh run of road victories to keep happening, this week’s shot-shy visitors are currently sitting in an unfortunate 13th place in the table due to summer signing Raul Jimenez’s lack of ability to fill Mitrovic’s boots during his early days with the Cottagers.
In fact, Fulham has had a road record of losing, winning, and losing since the beginning of May. Only two of their away games in the 2022–23 Premier League season finished level, with the majority of those recent games coming in a scoreless draw with Chelsea at the beginning of February.
The match will be live on Kameme TV and Kameme FM. Watch the big game live.