Match Preview
Fulham vrs Arsenal
Premiership Match Day 15 24/25 at Craven Cottage
Sunday 8th December 2024 KO: 14:00
Referee:
Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)
Live on SkySports
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Fulham, housing a handful of Arsenal stars, face Arsenal in Sunday's Premier League London derby
Both capital clubs earned two-goal successes in the midweek round of matches, as Mikel Arteta's team defeated Manchester United 2-0 before the Cottagers saw off Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 to boost their European charge.
Alex Iwobi, sparkled under the Thursday night lights when Brighton paid a visit to the capital, registering twice either side of a Matt O'Riley own goal to ensure that Carlos Baleba's effort and acrobatic celebration would count for nought.
By harming Brighton's bid for Europa League or Conference League football, the Cottagers have significantly aided their chances of continental qualification as they reside in sixth place in the standings, just one point below the Seagulls and four adrift of Manchester City in the final Champions League spot.
Terrorising backlines for fun all season long, Fulham have found the back of the net in each of their last 15 matches in all competitions since drawing a blank at Manchester United on the opening day, although they are also still waiting for their first home clean sheet of the campaign.
Much like Arsenal, though, Silva's side have also flexed their muscles in London derbies, going unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games against capital counterparts. Not since 2001 have they enjoyed a longer streak without defeat in such derby matches, but that nine-game sequence was appropriately ended in a 3-1 reverse to Arsenal at Craven Cottage.
Hitting Nottingham Forest for three and West Ham United and Sporting Lisbon for five was not a precursor for a similarly ruthless attacking display against Man United, whose rigid defensive structure frustrated Arsenal throughout the first half of their Emirates encounter.
However, Ruben Amorim quickly became the latest in a long line of managers to succumb to Arsenal's set-piece proficiency, as Jurrien Timber's header and William Saliba's unorthodox backside finish from corners propelled the Gunners to the win that their dominance merited.
As celebrated set-piece coach Nicolas Jover laps up the plaudits again, head coach Arteta seeks to mastermind a fifth straight win in all competitions for his resurrected outfit, who have now cut the gap to leaders Liverpool down to seven points thanks to the Reds' slip-up at Newcastle United.
Chelsea putting five past Southampton means that Arsenal have dropped to the bronze medal position in the Premier League table, but the visitors' affinity for all-capital clashes is well-documented, having won seven of their last eight Premier League London derbies.
The demolition of West Ham in their last such battle saw the Gunners score at least five goals for the fifth time in an away game in 2024 - no English club has ever done so in six different road matches in a calendar year - but the less said about their last stopover at Craven Cottage the better.
A result that ended up proving fatal in their pursuit of title glory, Arsenal went down 2-1 to Fulham on New Year's Eve 2023, a few months on from also being held to just the one point at home to Marco Silva's troops, who have since been reinforced by a few erstwhile Emirates men.
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Fulham beat Arsenal for the first time in 12 attempts in last season's corresponding fixture (D3, L8).
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The Cottagers could win consecutive league matches against the Gunners for the first time.
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Arsenal have scored in each of their past 18 Premier League encounters versus Fulham since a goalless draw in 2009.
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Fulham have lost just one of their last six league games (W3, D2).
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The Cottagers have equalled their club record of scoring in 13 successive top-flight matches, set 65 years ago.
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They are unbeaten in their last eight league London derbies (W4, D4), their longest run since going nine without defeat from February 2000 to September 2001.
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Their six goals scored by substitutes this season is the most of any other team in the Premier League.
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Alex Iwobi has scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearances, one more than he had managed in his previous 27 games.
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Arsenal have won three successive league games for the first time this season.
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The Gunners are aiming to become the first top-flight side to score five or more goals in six away fixtures in a calendar year.
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They need just four more goals to equal the Premier League record of 86 scored in a calendar year.
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Mikel Arteta's side have scored 22 goals from corners in the Premier League since the start of last season, more than any other team.
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They have won seven of their past eight London derbies (D1) since losing to Fulham on New Year's Eve last year.
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Bukayo Saka has seven goals and seven assists across his last 14 London league derbies.
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Source Ben Knapton at SportsMole/BBCSports