Match Preview: Arsenal v Fulham: EPL Match Day 20

Arsenal kick-off the new year as the last game of the day. A win at Craven Cottage would see them move throught he tricky fixtures undefeated and taking 7 from 9. A win also would (for a short time at least) move the Gunners level with Spurs on points.

But any trip to Craven Cottage is going to be tricky. Fulham are a good side even if their results don’t show it. They are well coached, work hard and are a club you can respect. Even though Arsenal have had the better of the encounters over the years, it will still be a tricky match.

Arsenal will likely rest the likes of Robin Van Persie and others. This means that either Ji-Young Park is going to play or Chamakh. My projected lineup calls for Chamakh but the more I think about it the more I wouldn’t be surprised to see Park get some time. Also look for the likes of either Rosicky and Benayoun to get the call up to allow Arteta and Ramsey some rest. It is also possible that Song will be rested and Coquelin starts. But I am still projecting Song to fill his normal role.

Thomas Vermaelen is out for 2-3 weeks with a thigh strain. Which either means Ignasi Miquel will start at LB or Coquelin will – depending on whether or not he fills in for Song. Coquelin was impressive against QPR and in my opinion actually offered us more going forward than Vermaelen does. Vermaelen and Djourou slotting in as fullbacks have a hard time overcoming their central defender tendancies when they go forward. It is like a restrictor plate in racing. The go over the midfield line and get a little nervous. Coquelin is used to going forward as midfielder and is more comfortable doing it. What Coquelin needs to do is similar to what Frimpong has to do and that is control his youthful exuberance.

All in all, Arsenal are in a position to start off the new year that I don’t think many thought they would see us in. And based on what I’ve seen of others, we are the team best primed to continue being the “Steady-eddies” of the table. The others are hitting some rough patches with Chelsea and United looking the most precarious.  Arsenal will certainly hit another rough patch. The key now is to accumulate as many points as you can before the rough patch comes. if the new found spirit in the team is any indication, I think we’re going to be fine.

For now though, its off to Craven Cottage with an attempt to keep our impressive run alive.

How the Match Should Play Out:

Any away match should be hard. Craven Cottage is no different. At the Emirates Fulham were lucky to have a 1-1 draw as Vermaelen scored at both ends. They’ll need to have a go at Arsenal if they want to get something from this fixture. So I look for them to play an open game looking for a result. What they will need to do however, is secure themselves from letting in the late goal. 9 of the last 20 goals they have let in have been scored beyond the 88th minute. If Van Persie does rest and CHamakh starts it is going to be a test of their crossing ability as they will likely be trying to use the Morrocan’s primary scoring ability.  That means lots of wing play with both Gervinho and Walcott testing the Fulham fullbacks.  All in all I believe it will be a highly open affair which should favor the visitors.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Theo Walcott. With Robin Van Persie set to have a spell on the sidelines the focus switches to those players who should step up. In this case the erstwhile Theo

Fulham. Clint Dempsey. He is the best American player in the world right now. he’s done it on every stage. He has also been the one player who has single-handedly helped Fulham stay competitive lately.

Probable Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Wilshere (ankle)  Sagna (ankle) Gibbs (hernia) Jenkinson (back fracture) Diaby (hamstring) Santos (knee) Fabianksi (knee) Mannone (shoulder) Vermaelen (thigh)

Fulham: Zamora (achilles) Johnson (groin) Wickham (knee) Davies (knee) Schwarzer (back) Grygera (knee)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:  Van Persie 22 (17 league)

Fulham: Dempsey 6 (6 league)

Last Meeting (EPL):

Arsenal: 1

Fulham: 1

Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 2.1

Fulham (home): 1.6

Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 2.2

Fulham: (home): 1.6

Last Five:
Arsenal: WDWLW

Fulham: DDLWL

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 9

Fulham: -5

Match Official:
Referee: Lee Probert (Matches 12, R0 Y33)

Broadcast Information:
US: Fox Soccer Channel 1230PM EST

UK: ESPN UK 1730 GMT

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Fulham: 1

The Final Word:

Emmanuel Frimpong has left Arsenal for a loan deal to Wolves that takes him to Mick McCarthy’s side until the end season. The hope is that the chance for regular play with Wolves will do for Frimpong what it did for Wilshere when he went to Bolton. Some people have questioned why one of the people’s favorites had gone out on loan.

Its clear to me that Wenger sees Coquelin as being further along in the devleopment process. Frimpong can only benefit as Coquelin has and Wilshere has from time away from Arsenal. Frimpong is a fan favorite and he seems to have a solid work ethic which bodes well for the youngster.

With the injury to Vermaelen and Gibbs at a minimum of three weeks away, Wenger has admitted getting a defender is necessary. He’s gone on to say that losing points because you don’t have a LB is silly. I agree. The two most likely candidates are Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge and AC Milan’s Taye Taiwo.  Wayne Bridge has a big question mark. He hasn’t played consistently since Mancini took over at the Etihad. There was a time when he had talent but it hasn’t really been nurtured or developed over the last two years. His spell at West Ham last season was woeful – think Theo loved playing against him? However, like I said he does have the talent and you can never underestimate what a player who feels like he has something to prove can provide a team.

Finally, the site re-design is still going through some minor tweaks. I apologize ahead of time if you find any issues. Let me know about it and I will fix it. In the mean time – my favourite part is the image scrolls that happen when the home page loads. If you haven’t seen it, take a look at the initial stream of images.

Until next time – Stay Goonerish!!

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