Arsenal are second in the Premier League but with little chance of catching leaders Liverpool. Tuesday sees them host Fulham who are eighth in the table and still hoping to qualify for Europe. Can the Gunners dent those chances? Here’s our match prediction.
12 points separate Arsenal from league leaders Liverpool. Their only hope of silverware this season seems to be the Champions League where they have reached the quarter-finals. The Gunners are ten points clear of fifth place so should be in next season’s competition.
Fulham were knocked out of the FA Cup at the weekend, losing 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace. The Cottagers can now fully concentrate on qualifying for Europe via their Premier League position.
It could even be the Champions League with them four points behind fourth going into this game. If fifth does take a side into the Champions League, then there’s only a three point gap.
Fulham have been somewhat of a bogey team for Arsenal as of late, and they’re bound to make life tricky for the hosts in midweek despite their flat display in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Cottagers are astutely drilled and perhaps better off when they play without the ball. The visitors can hurt this sturdy Gunners outfit in transition, but they must make the most of their moments. Arsenal will only give them a few.
We should expect a hint of rustiness from the hosts, who haven’t been particularly sharp in the final third this calendar year, but they could receive a huge boost on Tuesday with Saka likely to play a role off the bench. We can’t expect the winger to hit the ground running right away, but his mere presence might be enough to tilt the contest in Arsenal’s favour.
