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In their pursuit of maintaining their impressive record in London derbies, Arsenal are set to host Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in the third gameweek of the 2023-24 Premier League season on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams had contrasting outcomes in their recent matches within the capital. Mikel Arteta's team secured a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, while Fulham suffered a 3-0 defeat at home against Brentford.
Similar to their previous Premier League game against Nottingham Forest, Arsenal faced challenges in finding their rhythm against a well-organized Crystal Palace defense. In the most recent Monday night fixture, they encountered difficulties, especially due to Takehiro Tomiyasu's contentious red card, which added to their struggle.
A composed penalty by Martin Odegaard handed Arsenal the lead, but Tomiyasu's two questionable bookings in a span of seven minutes caused discussions after the game. Nonetheless, Arsenal's strength in London derbies was evident as they maintained their flawless start to the season.
Being one of only three teams to secure two victories at the beginning of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, Arsenal is positioned third in the early standings. They trail behind Manchester City, the reigning champions, and the early leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.
The win against Crystal Palace not only ended Arsenal's four-game losing streak on Monday nights under Arteta but also marked their 200th Premier League clean sheet on the road. This statistic places them just behind Manchester United and Chelsea in terms of clean sheets.
Although Arsenal's defensive weaknesses at home are no secret, with only one clean sheet in their last eight Premier League matches at the Emirates Stadium, Fulham's recent performances in terms of scoring goals do not suggest that they can challenge Arsenal effectively.
The prolonged and unwanted Aleksandar Mitrovic transfer saga has concluded with Mitrovic moving to Al-Hilal, leading Fulham's manager Marco Silva to strategize for a post-Mitrovic era, which has had a difficult start.
After a fortunate win against Everton, where the result could have gone the other way, Fulham suffered a 3-0 defeat against Brentford. Bryan Mbeumo's double and Yoane Wissa's goal secured Brentford's victory at Craven Cottage, with Tim Ream also receiving a red card.
Despite summer signing Raul Jimenez not showing signs of filling Mitrovic's shoes in his initial matches with Fulham, the team finds itself in the 13th position in the table. As they prepare to visit the Emirates Stadium, many expect Fulham's recent pattern of away results to continue.
Indeed, Fulham's away performances since May have alternated between losses and wins, with only two draws in the 2022-23 Premier League season, including a goalless draw against Chelsea in February.
While Fulham supporters might accept a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium if offered beforehand, their team suffered a 2-1 defeat in this fixture in August 2022. Additionally, they were beaten 3-0 at Craven Cottage, with Leandro Trossard's exceptional playmaking contributing to Arsenal's unbeaten streak of 10 matches against Fulham.
The highly anticipated clash between Arsenal and Fulham is set to ignite the footballing stage once again, bringing together two formidable teams in what promises to be an exhilarating contest. As both teams gear up for the upcoming fixture, fans and pundits alike are brimming with excitement to witness the unfolding drama on the pitch.
Arsenal, a perennial powerhouse in English football, enters the match with a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. Their attacking prowess, led by the likes of Aubameyang and Saka, poses a significant threat to any opposition. With an eye on securing a top spot in the league, Arsenal will be aiming to display their fluid attacking style and exploit the vulnerabilities in Fulham's defense.
On the other side, Fulham arrives with a determined spirit, fully aware of the challenges posed by their esteemed opponents. While not as historically illustrious as Arsenal, Fulham has shown resilience and potential in recent times. With an emphasis on teamwork and tactical cohesion, they will be striving to upset Arsenal's game plan and secure a positive result. Players like Mitrovic and Lookman will be pivotal in Fulham's attempts to breach Arsenal's defense.
The tactical battle between the two teams' managers will also be a fascinating aspect to watch. Both sides will likely focus on dominating possession and creating goal-scoring opportunities, making the midfield battle a key battleground. As the match unfolds, set pieces, individual brilliance, and defensive solidarity will all play crucial roles in determining the outcome.
