Who: Arsenal vs Fulham
Content: English Premier League
Location: Emirates Stadium, London, UK
Date and time: Saturday, May 2nd, 5:30pm (16:30 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll bring you all the details on Al Jazeera Sports from 13:30 GMT ahead of our live text commentary stream.
For all the talk about Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League ending after being swept away by Manchester City, the truth is that they could have rebuilt a six-goal lead on Saturday and put pressure on Josep Guardiola’s side.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on April 29 meant they were 10 points adrift a few weeks earlier and were able to dislodge Mikel Arteta’s side from the top of the table for the first time since October.
Momentum seemed to have changed completely, but the fixture schedule may have helped Arsenal as they look to win their first English crown since 2004.
How can Arsenal regain the Premier League lead so quickly?
Last weekend, Arsenal ended a four-game losing streak in domestic competition with a 1-0 home victory over Newcastle United as City headed into the FA Cup semi-finals.
City host London rivals Fulham on Saturday, and face a tough battle against European chasers Everton, who do not play a league game until Monday.
City have two games left before kick-off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but the prospect of having to erase another six-goal deficit in a situation where there is absolutely no margin for error will be a serious test of their resolve.
How will Arsenal and Fulham prepare for their Premier League clash?
According to data analyst Opta, Arsenal could still finish the season top of the table, but that could change if they falter against Marco Silva’s Fulham.
Fulham, who are in 10th place after four games, are still aiming for European qualification and will be hoping to take advantage of Arsenal’s fatigue after Arteta’s side were held to a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Fulham midfielder Josh King said: “We’re not afraid to go there and play for the badge.”
Stats Attack – Fulham vs Arsenal
But for Arsenal fans struggling to cope with the tensions of the title race, this history will be of considerable comfort.
Fulham have played away to Arsenal 32 times in all competitions, but have never won.
However, City’s record at Everton has been equally impressive, with them unbeaten in their last 18 games in all competitions, winning 15 of those and drawing three.
Regardless of the outcome of the derby between Arsenal and Fulham, if City win against Everton, it will be an opportunity to increase the pressure on Arsenal, with their next league game at home against Brentford coming up the day before Arsenal’s game against West Ham United, which is said to be Arsenal’s toughest training match.
What happened the last time Arsenal played Fulham?
Arsenal defeated Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage earlier this season in a come-from-behind match between the teams.
On October 18, Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the match in the 58th minute.
The home side failed to register a single shot on target, while Arsenal had five successful shots, giving them 63 per cent of possession.
When was the last time Fulham beat Arsenal?
The west London club won 2-1 at home in the Premier League two seasons ago.
Following Bukayo Saka’s opening goal in the fifth minute, goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby de Cordoba-Reid turned the game around.
direct confrontation
This is the 67th time the two sides have met, with Arsenal winning 44 times and Fulham claiming the spoils on 9 occasions.
The first meeting between the two sides was an FA Cup draw in 1904, with Arsenal winning 3-2.
The next game was 10 years later, when both teams met for the first time in the league, with Fulham getting their revenge with a 6-1 victory at their old Division Two home.
arsenal team news
Eze, a forward like the German, was injured in last week’s Premier League game against Newcastle, but he played off the injury and came on as a substitute in the match against Newcastle.
Julian Timber and Mikel Merino are both ruled out due to injury, but Riccardo Calafioli will return to the bench for the Champions League game in midweek and could start.
Arsenal’s predicted starting lineup
Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafioli. Odegaard, Zvimendi, Reis. Saka, Gokeres, Eze
Fulham team news
Former Tottenham winger Ryan Sessegnon could return from the bruise he sustained against Fulham, but Alex Iwobi’s thigh problem means he will not be able to face his former club.
Kenny Tete and Kevin are still confirmed to be absent.
Fulham expected starting lineup
Leno. Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson. Berge, Lukic. Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze. Jimenez
