Arsenal
head into the match on the back of a 3-0 win over Fenerbache as they look to
salvage their disappointing start to the Premier League campaign. Fulham on the
other hand, despite being on the back foot for most of the match against
Sunderland last week, came away with all three points and would be hoping for
at least a point when they host the Gunners in an early Saturday kickoff.
Manager
Martin Jol will be hoping for a similar defensive solidity ahead of the visit
of Arsenal this week. However, in front of the home fans, and in the local
London derby, fans would want to see a little more from the club than to simply
stay back and defend.
Arsenal
who are in a world of trouble with all the unexpected injuries they have
suffered will be entering the match without defender Laurent Koscielny who will
serve his one match ban following his red card against Villa. The corresponding
fixture last season saw a low-scoring affair, as Arsenal’s big
German Per Mertesacker scored the only goal of the game to lead
Arsenal to a 1-0 win.
INJURY AND TEAM NEWS:
For
Arsenal, the injury list does not
look good. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who suffered a knee injury will be
out of the game for at least three months adding to Arsene Wenger’s long list
of injured players. While midfielder Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta is not
expected anytime sooner, defender Nacho Monreal is fit and available for
selection.
On Laurent Koscielny…
He’s like a boxer who had a hard fight the night before; lots of blood around his eye and a deep cut. He is suspended for Saturday anyway but let’s hopes he recovers for next Tuesday [against Fenerbahce]. It will be short because the cut is very deep. Hopefully it will be alright.
On Vermaelen…
He is out running. He’s on the pitches again. But there’s still a good few weeks to go for him to get his fitness. We have Nacho back and Thomas soon back so that’s all good news for us.
For
Fulham, Martin Jol will be without
the services of newly signed goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and
left back Kieran Richardson, as the duo were injured in the opening-day
win, and Jol will have to solely depend on Brede Hangeland to spear
head his side’ defensive duties making its task of defending more
difficult. Alexander Kacaniklic may return to the first team after
declaring himself fit again.
However
the main talking point for Fulham would be the introduction of their two new
signings, Darren Bent who was on the bench last time around is expected to
start this week and Scott Parker is also expected some game time. It will
be interesting to see how the Gunners manage to defend the likes of Berbatov
and Bent.
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