Preview: Arsenal v. Fulham

Nasri picked up a slight knock Tuesday, but should still start. Pic via Daily Mail.

Emirates Stadium, London

Saturday, December 4

15:00 GMT, 10:00 a.m. EST

• Referee: Chris Foy
• This Match, Last Year: Arsenal 4 - 0 Fulham
• All-Time in All Competitions: 33 Arsenal wins, 7 Fulham wins, 7 draws
• Arsenal's Recent Form: W-L-W-W-L-W
• Fulham's Recent Form: W-D-L-D-L-D

Predicted Line-Up

guesses in red

Fabianski

Sagna - Djourou - Koscielny - Clichy

Song - Wilshere

Nasri - Rosicky - Arshavin

Chamakh

Subs from: Szczesny, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs, Denilson, Walcott, Van Persie

Out: Fabregas (hamstring), Diaby (ankle), Almunia (elbow), Vermaelen (Achilles)

Arsenal News and Notes

• Samir Nasri picked up a slight knee problem in the Carling Cup on Tuesday on what was a fairly scary looking scissors tackle, but he's likely to start anyway.
• Sebastian Squillaci returns from a knee problem he picked up at Aston Villa.
• Also not being rushed back: Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby, and Thomas Vermaelen.
• Arsenal's home form in the league has been poor this season. They have lost three and won four, though two of those wins were uncomfortably close and the other two involved red cards to the opposition.
• Arsenal can go top of the league again, albeit briefly, if they win and Chelsea drop points against Everton.

Fulham News and Notes

• Former Arsenal transfer target goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer signed a new contract with the club yesterday.
• Fulham are without two of their offensive threats, due to injury: Bobby Zamora is out with a broken leg and Moussa Dembele won't return for a week or two with an ankle injury. Andy Johnson might return from a hamstring injury.
• Former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos is out until February with a calf problem.
• Carlos Salcido left last week's match with a knee injury and will not be returning.
• There is no return date for Rafik Halliche (thigh) or Fredrik Stoor (groin.)
• Fulham did not win in the month of November (2 losses and 3 draws.)
• The Cottagers have won just three matches out of 17 across all competitions (two out of 15 in the league.) They have not won away from home.

Match Facts

• The Gunners won this fixture last year 4-0. It was the final match of the season and Fulham was resting for the Europa League Final coming that week. Arsenal won 1-0 at Craven Cottage last September.
• Arsenal has won 21 of Fulham's trips to Highbury/Emirates. Three were draws.
• All seven Fulham wins over Arsenal were played at Craven Cottage.

The Referee

• The referee is Chris Foy.
• This season, he took charge of Arsenal's 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers. A mild media controversy surrounded that match, as Arsene Wenger chose that week to condemn Stoke City's physical tactics against Tottenham the week prior, a match also officiated by Foy.
• The last time he took charge of a Fulham match, the Cottagers lost 2-0 at Hull City.
• He is the only top flight referee that has not shown a red card this year.

Around the League

• Saturday: Birmingham City v. Tottenham Hotspur; St. Andrew's, Birmingham
• Saturday: Blackburn Rovers v. Wolverhampton Wanderers; Ewood Park, Blackburn
• Saturday: Chelsea v. Everton; Stamford Bridge, London
• Saturday: Manchester City v. Bolton Wanderers; City of Manchester City, Manchester
• Saturday: Wigan Athletic v. Stoke City; DW Stadium, Wigan
• Saturday: Blackpool v. Manchester United; Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
• Sunday: West Bromwich Albion v. Newcastle United; The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
• Sunday: Sunderland v. West Ham United; Stadium of Light, Sunderland
• Monday: Liverpool v. Aston Villa; Anfield, Liverpool