Arsenal welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.
After edging a tight 1-0 win in October’s reverse fixture, the Gunners will be eager to complete the league double and restore a six-point cushion at the top of the table.
Match preview
Arsenal come into this fixture on the back of a 1-1 stalemate against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday.
The Gunners took the lead just before half-time through Viktor Gyokeres, who converted from the penalty spot in the 44th minute after being fouled inside the box.
Julian Alvarez restored parity for Atletico from the spot after the break, following a VAR review that ruled Ben White had handled the ball in the area.
The visitors were awarded another penalty late on when Eberechi Eze went down under the challenge of David Hancko in the area, but VAR overturned the decision.
Arsenal snapped their two-game losing streak with a narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle United last weekend, reclaiming top spot to move three points clear of Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side could extend their lead to six points with victory over the Cottagers, with City not in action until Monday against Everton.
Fulham halted their recent goal drought with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa, courtesy of Ryan Sessegnon’s first-half strike.
Marco Silva’s side have drawn blanks in four of their last six league matches but have won both games in which they scored during that spell (3-1 vs Burnley, 1-0 vs Villa).
The Cottagers have won just one of their last 15 Premier League games against Arsenal (D4, L10), a 2-1 home win in December 2023.
Team news
Kai Havertz was forced off with a muscular injury in the Newcastle victory and is doubtful, while Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are definitely out.
Riccardo Calafiori was an unused substitute on Wednesday and could feature in this game.
The visitors are sweating over Sessegnon’s fitness after he was forced off against Villa. Alexander Iwobi, Kenny Tete and Kevin are sidelined with injuries.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Eze, Gyokeres.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Lukic, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze, Jimenez.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham.
