Fulham vs Arsenal: Injury News, Preferred Line-up & Predicted Score

Arsenal make the short trip across London to take on Fulham tonight hoping to strengthen their grip on fourth spot in the Premier League. 

Craven Cottage is not an easy place to go and Fulham are a well organised side, so the Gunners will have to be on form to collect all three points this evening. Luckily for us, Martin Jol has confirmed neither Bobby Zamora or Andy Johnson will play with both looking certain to leave this January. This will leave Fulham light up top in the striking department.

The big question from Arsenal’s point-of-view is whether Arsene Wenger will play Robin van Persie for what will be his 3rd game in just 7 days. My gut feeling is RVP will start as he’ll surely be rested for the weekend’s FA Cup game with Leeds. Van Persie has become so important for us, it’s hard to see how we’d overcome Fulham without him, so i think he’ll start and fingers crossed he comes through without injury.

Unfortunately we’ve lost another defender to injury, this time Thomas Vermaelen has been ruled out for up to 3 weeks leaving Arsenal without a recognised left back. It’s anyone’s guess how Wenger will re-shuffle at the back but i think he’ll give Miquel a start at left back. Coquelin did well there against QPR, so he’s also a possibility. Neither are ideal though and it’s terrible luck to have lost yet another first choice defender. Another defensive injury will cripple us, it’s a miracle we’ve performed so well without any full backs for this long to be honest.

With the FA Cup next week providing an opportunity to rest tired legs, i think Arsene will try and maintain the core side and keep changes to a minimum for todays game. Gervinho should come in for Arshavin but other than that, i expect much the same side that faced QPR. Benayoun or Rosicky could come in for Arteta or Walcott should the boss feel they need a breather.

Preferred Team:

Szczesny

Djourou      Meresacker       Koscielny      Miquel

Song      Arteta

Walcott       Ramsey       Gervinho

Van Persie

Predicted Score:

It’s going to be a tough game but Arsenal will have too much for Fulham. We’ve played reasonably well in recent weeks and created plenty of chances but our finishing needs to improve and become more clinical in front of goal. If Van Persie starts i can see a 2-0 victory for the Gunners. Sadly, if the Dutchman is rested and Chamakh comes in, it won’t be quite as comfortable.