Arsenal are set to make the short trip across London to Craven Cottage as they face Fulham, looking to maintain their place at the peak of the Premier League table.
It’s has not always been the easiest place for the Gunners to visit, failing to win their last two encounters at the cottage. They could only manage a 1-1 draw last season, losing valuable ground to Liverpool in the title race.
Fulham currently sit 14th in the table having lost two consecutive away matches prior to the international break. Both ended 3-1 to their opponents, as the break seemed to come at the right time for Marco Silva's men.
Meanwhile, Arsenal find themselves at the top of the league as Liverpool's dramatic late defeat to Chelsea was enough to ensure the Gunners would ascend to the top spot going into the international break.
Team News:
Fulham have been hit heavily with injury problems ahead of their encounter with Arsenal as the likes of Saša Lukić, Rodrigo Muniz and Antonee Robinson have been ruled out by Marco Silva, recovering from their respective injuries.
Samuel Chukwueze has also been highlighted as a player set to sit this clash out, deeping the Cottagers injury woes.
Raúl Jiménez and Kenny Tete are also doubts, showing the issues faced by Marco Silva upon his team selection.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have both good and bad news ahead of this encounter, as a duo have been confirmed as available by Mikel Arteta.
Both Ben White and Martin Zubimendi will be available to be selected in Arsenal's matchday squad, giving Arteta more important depth to choose from.
However Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke all remain out as they continue to recover from their respective injuries. Piero Hincapie has made a return to training, but this one might come too soon for him.
Predicted Lineups:
Fulham:
Leno; Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Castagne, Berge, Cairney, Sessegnon; Wilson, Iwobi; King
Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Rice, Merino; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard
Key Players:
Fulham - Joshua King
It takes something special to beat the Arsenal backline this season, who are solid as they come, but Josh King is certainly capable of the spectacular on his day.
He had a good international break with the England U21s where he looked like a constant threat, playing just behind the striker against Andorra, putting in a positive display.
Fulham will hope that King's trickiness will help them to unlock that Arsenal defence.
Arsenal - Viktor Gyökeres
With three goals in the Premier League so far but none in his last three, the Swede will undoubtedly be looking to add to his tally for the season.
Fulham have conceded eleven goals this season, but six of these have came in their two most recent matches, so Gyökeres will certainly fancy his chances of finding the back of the net at Craven Cottage.
