Arsenal will today make the short trip across to Fulham having seen their Premier League lead cut down to just two points.
Manchester City’s win over Crystal Palace piles the pressure right back on the leaders.
The Gunners have just this clash at Craven Cottage and then a home match against Crystal Palace to come in the League before the break, and Mikel Arteta will be desperate for his side to at least maintain their five-point advantage at the top.
A Europa League draw in midweek with Sporting but far from Arsenal’s best performance of the season, but six changes were made for that match and a more familiar side will be hoping to return to winning ways this weekend.
Fulham are still in the hunt for European football themselves, and pushed the Gunners all the way at the Emirates earlier this season.
The match will take place at Craven Cottage.
Palhinha remains out for Fulham, as he serves the second match of his suspension for picking up ten yellow cards, and Cedric Soares is ineligible to feature against his parent club.
Otherwise there are no fresh injury concerns for Marco Silva to deal with. Manor Solomon will look to score for the sixth match in a row, while Willian is expected to start against his former side.
Martin Odegaard missed the midweek game against Sporting with illness but should recover in time to face Fulham, with Kieran Tierney also likely to return to the squad. Eddie Nketiah though is set to miss out again with an ankle injury.
The match will come too soon for Gabriel Jesus who continues to step up his recovery, but Emile Smith Rowe could make his first start of the season, and Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel can all be expected to return to the starting XI.
Arsenal will be hoping to have their captain back from illness .
Fulham continue to enjoy a superb season back in the Premier League and will be hoping to take advantage of any tired legs in the Arsenal side after their European assignment.
But the Gunners will be strengthened by the return of the spine of their side, are on a run of results that shows they believe they can get a result from any situation.
They are likely to be tested again, but Mikel Arteta’s side should have enough to keep their title bid on track.
Arsenal to win, 2-1.
