Arsenal
Fulham v Arsenal – Line-ups, Injury News, Match Facts, Preview And Prediction
Fulham v Arsenal
Apr 20, 2013 at 3pm (UK)
Craven Cottage
After missing the opportunity to extend their lead over Tottenham, suddenly Arsenal find themselves in a spot of bother as they play Fulham away at Craven Cottage before hosting league leaders Manchester United next weekend. A tricky game followed by a tough one isn’t exactly what Arsene Wenger and his men would want at this stage of the season. But on a brighter side, if they manage to pull up their socks and pick up three points today the pressure will be right back at Spurs and Chelsea who face Manchester City and Liverpool respectively. It is still not completely out of their hands, but the Gunners have to make sure they get all three points today.
With a win tonight Arsenal can get up to 63 points and assuming both their London rivals drop significant points, Arsenal are well in with a chance of clinching the 4th place trophy and a shot at Champions league next season for the 16th consecutive year. Arsenal who are unbeaten in the league since their defeat at White Hart lane would be vary of Craven Cottage as their last visit there ended in a 1-2 defeat and in fact it has been as long as 7 years since the Gunners have had a significant result over their London rivals at the Cottage.
Meanwhile Fulham, currently at 10th place are enjoying an average season and must put a halt to their alarming dip in form off late. With only a point from the last three games and after a 3-0 thumping by Chelsea in the mid-week Martin Jol’s men will be looking to restore some parity in front of their home supporters and the 3-3 during Fulham’s visit to Emirates should be a confidence booster.
Team News and Injury updates:
Talking to the press ahead of the game, Wenger talked updated on the latest team news. He said,
“There are a number of uncertainties about our squad. At the back everyone should available. In midfield we have a few people to check like Cazorla, Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain. They will all have tests but I hope they should be alright.”
“We have to test Rosicky who was not ready to start on Tuesday.”
At the back Szczesny is set to start his second game as Lukasz Fabianski is yet to recover from his trouble with a cracked rib. As far as the defensive line-up is considered Per, Koscielny and Sagna will retain their places while Gibbs who was subbed late against Everton should have to wait until the final team news.
The midfield has seen some significant changes in the recent past and as Ramsey is continuing to impress, he should start alongside Arteta in the anchor role while Wilshere plays in an advance role. The real trouble for Wenger comes with the forwards.
Although Cazorla has been good, he is not at his best when deployed at the left which will have to be accessed by Wenger because for Cazorla to start at the center he will have to either sacrifice Wilshere or Ramsey which is a tough ask. The Gunners have found it difficult to crack their opponents in the last two fixtures and Wenger should finally break his stubbornness over Podolski and start him at the left moving Cazorla in a more central role or even down the right replacing the out of form England International Theo Walcott.
Arsenal have been missing the German’s attacking threats
With a host of players pushing for a starting place, it will be interesting to see what the French man does as he is not known for his rotation policy. (Or may be this is the first time he has almost a full squad to pick from)
For Fulham, the return of Steve Sidwell to the midfield after serving a three match ban courtesy of a red card he received against QPR should be an added boost. Midfield duo Ashkan Dejagah and Mahamadou Diarra are out for the season with ankle and knee concerns, the absence of Damien Duff has been a real blow. It is all up to Sidwell and Berbatov to guide Fulham to a positive result.
Possible starting lineups
Fulham: Schwarzer; Riether, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise; Enoh, Emanuelson, Karagounis, Ruiz; Petric, Berbatov
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Ramsey, Arteta, Wilshere; Cazorla, Giroud, Walcott
Match Facts:
Fulham are unbeaten in their last four Barclay Premier League meetings with Arsenal, drawing three and winning one.
The Gunners have won just one of their last four trips to Craven Cottage in the Premier League (D1 L2), losing their last trip there in January 2012 (1-2).
There has been a red card given in both of the last two PL meetings between these two sides at Craven Cottage – Johan Djourou (Arsenal) and Zoltan Gera (Fulham).
The Gunners have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League games, winning eight (W8 D2 L1).
Since the beginning of February, Arsenal have conceded only six goals in nine Premier League games, keeping four clean sheets during this run.
The Whites have accrued a joint league-high five own goals this season, but are yet to concede one themselves.
Mikel Arteta has taken (six) and scored (five) more penalties than any other player this season.
Prediction: 1-2 win for the away side.
Arsenal
Arsenal Face Brighton Test as Gunners Begin Title Pursuit Despite Ruiz’s Late Managerial Appointment Creating Tactical Uncertainty
Arsenal commence their 2026-27 Women’s Super League championship campaign at Broadfield Stadium confronting Brighton’s late managerial transition, establishing opening fixture complexity transcending merely competitive opponent engagement.
Renée Slegers’ settled pre-season preparation combined with her comprehensive summer recruitment establishes substantial tactical foundation supporting Arsenal’s championship pursuit, yet Arturo Ruiz’s Brighton appointment only days before the opener establishes genuine tactical uncertainty undermining predictive fixture assessment.
Match Information and How to Watch
Brighton vs Arsenal kicks off Sunday 6 September 2026 at 12:00pm BST from Broadfield Stadium. Sky Sports provides UK broadcast coverage with international viewers accessing the match through Barclays Women’s Super League YouTube channel.
Slegers’ settled preparation combined with Arsenal’s strengthened squad suggests comprehensive championship readiness, whilst Brighton’s managerial transition establishes unpredictability supporting their defensive resilience potential.
Arsenal’s Championship Squad Depth Addresses Tactical Complexity
Slegers’ described squad as “strongest” she has directed establishes credible championship foundation transcending merely competitive adequacy. Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle and Misa Rodríguez amongst Arsenal’s summer arrivals combined with existing institutional talent establishes attacking depth supporting varied tactical approaches addressing Brighton’s potential defensive resilience.
That depth combined with their previous Brighton fixture frustration suggests Arsenal recognise need for sustained patient attacking construction transcending pure dominance expectations.
Predicted Arsenal lineup: Rodríguez; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Batlle; Stanway, Little; Smith, Caldentey, Foord; Russo.
Wälti’s Arsenal Knowledge Provides Brighton Transitional Stability
Wälti’s seven-year Arsenal tenure combined with her Brighton appointment establishes meaningful institutional knowledge advantage supporting Ruiz’s implementation requirements. Her midfield presence alongside Emilie Joramo establishes experienced transitional partnership potentially disrupting Arsenal’s familiar midfield control patterns, validating Brighton’s unpredictability potential despite their managerial disruption.
Predicted Brighton lineup: Nnadozie; Auée, Minami, George, Vanegas; Wälti, Joramo; Seike, Kirby, Čanković; Haley.
Championship Establishment Requires Sustained Patient Offensive Construction
This fixture feels strategically important for Arsenal’s championship establishment. Rather than pursuing comfortable opening victory assumptions, Slegers acknowledges Brighton’s “stubborn” defensive resilience and Wälti’s quality threat suggesting appropriate championship mentality. That recognition combined with Arsenal’s comprehensive squad depth supports their eventual victory.
Brighton’s tactical uncertainty combined with their determined defensive tradition creates genuine fixture complexity. Arsenal’s attacking variety through Smith, Foord and Caldentey should overcome Brighton’s resistance, though patience will prove essential against Ruiz’s transitional defensive structure.
Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal
Emily Fox Commits Arsenal to Championship Treble Pursuit as USWNT Defender Targets Every Available Trophy Following Consecutive PFA Recognition
Emily Fox has articulated explicit championship ambition for Arsenal, establishing the club’s comprehensive trophy pursuit philosophy requiring unwavering commitment across all available competitions.
The United States Women’s National Team defender’s unequivocal assertion that elite institutions “have to go for all of them” combined with her consecutive PFA Team of the Year recognition establishes credible foundation supporting genuine championship aspirations rather than merely aspirational rhetoric.
Arsenal’s narrow previous season defeat through draw accumulation combined with their Charlton Athletic 5-1 demolition establishes encouraging competitive foundation suggesting tactical sharpness supporting their championship objectives.
Fox’s immediate second-half impact despite not starting validates her elite status transcending purely starting lineup consideration, suggesting her availability provides meaningful tactical flexibility supporting Arsenal’s demanding fixture schedule throughout their multi-competition campaign.
Elite One-Versus-One Defending Provides Championship Foundation
Fox’s characterisation as elite one-versus-one defender combined with her ability to “surge relentlessly down the right flank” establishes complete attacking and defensive profile meriting championship-level confidence.
Her PFA recognition reflecting her dual-faceted influence across both ends of the pitch validates her significance extending beyond purely defensive responsibility, indicating genuine elite performer capable of meaningful attacking contribution supporting Arsenal’s creative requirements.
That comprehensive capability combined with her demonstrated consistency establishes credible foundation supporting Arsenal’s multi-trophy pursuit.
Draw Accumulation Represents Championship Addressable Challenge
Arsenal’s previous season single loss contrasted against their six-draw accumulation establishes quantifiable competitive adjustment requirement rather than fundamental capability deficiency. That marginal defeat suggested by draw patterns rather than defensive collapses indicates realistic trophy pursuit achievability through continued tactical consistency and draw-conversion improvement rather than requiring wholesale squad reconstruction.
This statement feels strategically important for Arsenal’s competitive trajectory. Rather than pursuing conservative single-trophy focus, Fox and Arsenal establish ambitious championship mentality demanding elite performance consistency across all available competitions. Her championship commitment combined with her demonstrated elite capability positions Arsenal favorably for sustained trophy pursuit throughout their anticipated season.
Arsenal
New UEFA Regulation Blocks Arsenal From Away Fixture Against Slavia Prague as Champions League Draw Implements Consecutive Opponent Restriction
Arsenal have discovered their comprehensive Champions League group phase opponents following yesterday’s draw, establishing their competitive schedule whilst navigating newly implemented UEFA regulation preventing consecutive away fixtures against identical opposition.
The regulation denying Arsenal’s away travel to Prague combined with Liverpool’s blocked Anfield Real Madrid fixture establishes systematic competition balance philosophy limiting repetitive home-venue matchups across three consecutive seasons, suggesting deliberate competition structure enhancement prioritising varied competitive experience.
Arsenal’s previous season 3-0 Prague demolition combined with their current away-fixture prevention establishes genuine competitive advantage preservation rather than purely administrative regulation, validating UEFA’s systematic approach toward ensuring fresh competitive challenge distribution.
That regulatory framework combined with Arsenal’s established grouping suggests meaningful competitive foundation supporting their European championship aspirations following their previous season Budapest final disappointment.
Regulation Implementation Prevents Competitive Staleness
The regulation prohibiting three-consecutive-season identical home-venue fixtures between same opposition establishes competition diversity philosophy suggesting UEFA recognises value in fresh tactical challenges across multiple seasons. That systematic approach spanning multiple elite clubs including Liverpool alongside Arsenal suggests comprehensive competition restructuring philosophy rather than arbitrarily targeting individual institutions, indicating genuine competition-wide implementation rather than selective application.
That regulation combined with Arsenal’s established grouping establishes meaningful competitive foundation supporting sustained elite challenge throughout their group phase campaign.
Arsenal’s Comprehensive Grouping Establishes Elite Championship Foundation
Arsenal’s pairing with Real Madrid home fixture combined with Bayern Munich away establishment alongside their additional elite opposition encounters (Dortmund, Lille, Napoli, Betis) establishes genuinely demanding group phase schedule requiring sustained elite performance consistency. That competitive balance combining established elite opponents (Real Madrid, Bayern) alongside ascending threats (Lille, Dortmund) suggests meaningful championship-level testing supporting their European ambitions.
This regulation feels strategically important for Arsenal’s European trajectory. Rather than viewing the Prague away-fixture prevention as disadvantageous, their comprehensive grouping combined with their Real Madrid home advantage establishes meaningful foundation supporting their championship defence objectives.
Their Budapest final disappointment combined with this season’s elevated competitive scheduling suggests genuine opportunity for meaningful European progression throughout their demanding group phase campaign.
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