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In the aftermath of their midweek stumble to reclaim the summit of the Premier League, Arsenal embarks on another London excursion, this time crossing paths with Fulham in a quest to navigate their ship back on course.
Despite an emphatic home victory against West Ham on Thursday, Arsenal succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, undone by soft goals and a squandered array of chances. This setback leaves them trailing Liverpool by two points in the league standings, the advantage of their game in hand now extinguished.
Fulham grapple with their own challenges, mired in a December goal drought after back-to-back 5-0 triumphs against Nottingham Forest and West Ham. The Whites face a formidable test against an in-form Bournemouth side, lacking the attacking prowess of Willian and the uncertain fitness of Raul Jimenez.
While Jimenez’s return offers a glimmer of hope, Willian’s potential absence leaves Fulham reliant on the orchestrations of Alex Iwobi. Despite Iwobi’s impressive contributions, a solitary figure against Arsenal’s resolute defense, Fulham appears destined for defeat.
Fulham’s recent offensive struggles manifest in three goalless outings, managing a mere 2.44 xG, with a paltry 1.42 xG against Burnley. Tasked with overcoming Arsenal’s staunch defense, ranked second in the league, Fulham faces a daunting challenge to revive their attacking prowess.
Reflecting on last season’s defensive frailties, Fulham finds themselves in familiar territory, exacerbated by the absence of the injured Tim Ream. Conceding 107 shots on target out of 248, the third-worst record in the league, Fulham’s vulnerabilities provide ample opportunities for opponents to exploit.
In the tactical chess between these sides, Bukayo Saka emerges as a pivotal figure. Last season’s encounter saw Saka netting, and recent performances suggest his potential to unlock Fulham’s defense. With Gabriel Jesus struggling, Saka’s prowess could be the key for Arsenal in securing victory.
