Sunday, January 1, 2012

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02.01. (Mon) 18:30 Fulham vs Arsenal


PROBABLE LINEUPS

FULHAM

StockdaleKelly, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise
Murphy, Etuhu
Dempsey, Ruiz, Dembele
Orlando Sa
ARSENAL

SzczesnyDjourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen
 Ramsey, Song, Arteta Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho
Striker Andy Johnson is due to return to Fulham in time for their first game of 2012 but is unlikely to go straight into a starting role, with Orlando Sa's goal against Norwich City expected to be enough to keep his place. Martin Jol will likely want to beef up his midfield for the visit of the Gunners, so Dickson Etuhu should feature in central midfield with Clint Dempsey moving further forward in place of Kerim Frei. Bobby Zamora is no closer to a return to action from his calf injury.

Arsenal are still without long-term absentees Jack Wilshere, Bakary Sagna and Andre Santos among an eight-strong injury list, so manager Arsene Wenger has options restricted with regard to changing his lineup from Saturday's QPR clash. Gervinho may come in to freshen up the forward line and to make best use of the Ivorian's talents before his imminent departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • The last time that Arsenal met Fulham, on November 26 at the Emirates Stadium, defender Thomas Vermaelen scored at both ends in a 1-1 draw.
  • Fulham have not beaten the Gunners since August 23, 2008, when a solitary goal from centre-back Brede Hangeland was enough to sink Wenger's men at Craven Cottage.
  • In the six meetings that have followed that result, three have been Arsenal wins and three, including the two most recent clashes, have ended in a draw.
  • Gunners captain Robin van Persie fell one short of Alan Shearer's Premier League record of goals scored in a calendar year, notching a still-incredible 35 times in the league over the course of 2011.
  • Clint Dempsey is the home side's top scorer so far this season with nine strikes to his name in all competitions. Compared to Van Persie's record, the American struck 13 in the past 12 months of Premier League football.
  • Fulham have struggled to overcome fellow London sides so far this season, with three draws in five local derbies in all competitions so far this season. They also lost once to Tottenham and thumped QPR 6-0.
  • The Gunners have fared slightly better, recording two wins and two draws in their own five derby games in 2011-12.
  • Philippe Senderos, likely to start in central defence for Fulham, made 84 league appearances over seven years at Arsenal between 2003 and 2010.
Prediction
Arsenal's disastrous start to the season is almost a distant memory now with Saturday's win over QPR lifting them into the top four after a length absence. Fulham have struggled against the north Londoners in recent years and the visitors should have enough to emerge from Craven Cottage unscathed.
Editor's Prediction
Fulham 0-2 Arsenal