Arsenal and Fulham will lock horns again at the start of April. It has been an interesting season for both of these teams for slightly different reasons.

Arsenal’s season is still alive, especially in Europe. However, there have been a lot of challenges this season and the current injury crisis is certainly not helping things for the Gunners. As for Fulham, it is possible that they will be in the hunt for a high finish.

A lot of people will be doing some research before the game starts as they try to predict the outcome. Those who are betting on the Premier League may be more interested in events like the fouls and cards markets or shots on target – it is not just about who wins the game. For Arsenal fans and Fulham fans, the three points will be the most important thing.

Historical context

It feels like Fulham are a bit of a banana skin for the club, but Arsenal and Fulham have faced each other many times over the years, with the Gunners generally getting the upper hand. According to available records, Arsenal have managed 38 victories, whereas Fulham have won eight times.

This dominance is further highlighted by Arsenal's impressive goal tally in the games, as they have scored 130 goals compared to Fulham's 63 in their encounters.? But we know that the way the game has unfolded in decades past won’t have much of a bearing on this game.

What to expect from the game

Arsenal's recent form has been patchy to say the least, and injury concerns have caused a lot of issues. A notable concern is the injury to star winger Bukayo Saka, who suffered a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for months now, and could impact the rest of Arsenal’s season. Saka's absence has notably affected Arsenal's attack. When Kai Havertz was then injured, the attacking threats were notably diminished.

This was not all that apparent when the Gunners demolished PSV 7-1 in Europe, but the players will have been fired up for that one, and it is possible that they will enter the Fulham fixture with a lot less at stake.

Fulham’s players have shown a lot of resilience in their recent outings. Their defensive solidity was evident in their December 2024 draw against Arsenal, where they managed to stifle the Gunners' attacking threats despite conceding a goal from a corner (of course).

Fulham will potentially have a lot to play for in this game. They find themselves in the hunt for European competition, which is not something that too many people would have predicted before the season, but it has been a funny old year.

Will “Set Piece FC” dominate?

Some people have dubbed Arsenal Set Piece FC due to the fact that they are so incredibly good from corners. Players like Gabriel and Saliba are particularly good at winning the ball in the air.

This is another game where set pieces could definitely come into play. Fulham also have some good aerial players, so it is not like they will be bullied, but we all know how important set pieces have become to Arsenal. Without the likes of Havertz playing, there may be fewer opportunities to score from open play.

Who will be a makeshift striker?

Since injuries have had such a profound effect on Arsenal, they have had to change their approach to goalscoring. Mikel Merino has found himself deployed as an emergency striker in some games in the last couple of weeks – and has even got himself on the scoresheet. It is likely that Arsenal will not have a recognised striker available for this game.

If any more injuries occur between now and then, it is possible that we’ll end up with youth academy prospects on the pitch!

Recent matchups

We can get some clues on what things are going to be like in the game when we look at what has happened in recent years between the two London clubs.

Several fixtures between Arsenal and Fulham have stood out but there have been some very disappointing games from Arsenal’s point of view.

April 2023 – Arsenal delivered a commanding performance at Craven Cottage, securing a 3-0 victory.?

August 2023 – In a thrilling match at the Emirates Stadium, both teams showcased attacking prowess, culminating in a 2-2 draw.?

December 2023 – Fulham achieved a significant milestone by defeating Arsenal 2-1 at Craven Cottage, marking one of their rare victories over the Gunners.?

December 2024 – This encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, with Fulham once again frustrating Arsenal's ambitions and proving to be a bit of a “bogey team” for the Gunners. Fulham had just two shots on goal in the match but still managed to come away with a point.

A London rivalry or just another game?

There isn’t too much needle between the two teams, and it is not expected to be a feisty affair by the standards of some other Premier League games. All London derbies have a lot to offer to the viewer and the game could well be an entertaining affair.

Unless Liverpool have a serious blip, it is expected that Arsenal will be sitting in second place and there will be a big points gap to first. It is not likely that Arsenal will be able to make a late charge, purely because of the dominance that Liverpool have shown this season.

While this is not just another game, it is a big matchup between two teams likely to be competing in European competitions, but it is not what you would call a classic London derby – certainly not like it is when Arsenal play Spurs.

We know Arsenal will fight to the end, but this could be a time when they are much more focused on European competitions, with a chance to make it to the Champions League final and turn this season into one for the ages.