Arsenal vs Fulham Preview: Form, Team News & Prediction | OneFootball

Emirates Stadium forms the backdrop for Tuesday’s all-London Premier League showdown between Arsenal and Fulham.

Mikel Merino’s first-half goal made the difference in a mouth-watering London derby between the Gunners and Chelsea on the stroke of March’s international break.

Despite seeing off their arch-rivals, Mikel Arteta’s side had nothing to celebrate during a two-week hiatus from club football, with pacesetters Liverpool already 12 points clear.

With only nine games to go, only a miracle can help Arsenal halt a two-decade title drought in the Premier League as they return to the Emirates for another must-win derby clash.

Visiting Fulham suffered a substantial mental shock on Saturday as fellow London rivals Crystal Palace thumped them 3-0 at Craven Cottage to end their FA Cup run in the quarter-finals.

Manager Marco Silva wasn’t happy in the post-match conference, lamenting a catalogue of wasted opportunities, but there’s no time to dwell on the past.

Only four points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, Fulham could be on the verge of a historic league campaign, with a coveted European qualification a distinct possibility for the Cottagers.

April Fools’ Day tradition

These are not times for jokes, especially with a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid waiting around the corner.

However, April Fools’ Day has traditionally been kind to Arsenal, as witnessed by their 100 percent win ratio across seven previous Premier League games held on April 1.

Fulham’s upcoming visit bodes well for the Gunners’ bid to maintain that record, considering they have never lost across their 31 home league meetings with the Cottagers (W24, D7).

To put Arsenal’s long-term dominance in this fixture in perspective, that’s the most home matches one side has played against another without losing in English Football League history.

Arteta’s charges would be naive to take that for granted after blowing hot and cold across their last four home league outings (W2, D1, L1), though one was a 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City in early February.

Cottagers dreaming big

Fulham have positioned themselves nicely in a fiercely contested race for European qualification, which would be their first since the 2010/11 season.

However, fans can dare to dream of a remarkable Champions League finish now that the Cottagers are breathing down Chelsea’s necks, targeting a sought-after fourth place.

A historic first league victory on Arsenal’s home ground would be a giant step forward, and Fulham’s recent form on the road highlights the potential for a shock result.

Silva’s side had won three consecutive away league matches, netting precisely two goals on each occasion, before a 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion hindered their momentum.

Further confidence comes from Fulham’s resilient performance in December’s reverse fixture, where they held the Gunners to a 1-1 draw on home turf.

Team News

This clash will come too soon for long-term absentees Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, with the English winger aiming to return for the Madrid showdown.

In addition to Gabriel Martinelli and Takehiro Tomiyasu, Arsenal could be without Riccardo Calafiori, who sustained a knee injury while on international duty with Italy.

Fulham will take this crosstown trip without Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson and first-choice right-back Kenny Tete.

Silva’s super sub, Harry Wilson, is also on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

Prediction

Liverpool’s lead looks unassailable, but Arsenal will still be out to hold up their end of the bargain and post back-to-back league wins for only the second time in 2025.

Given the circumstances, a point would likely confirm the inevitable, but Fulham probably wouldn’t mind sharing the spoils at the Emirates, where they held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw last term.

Another upset isn’t beyond the Cottagers.