Arsenal will be keen to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League table, when they welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium in the London derby on Saturday.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled for a 3pm GMT (8.30pm IST) start with live coverage on Star Sports 4 in India. The match can also be caught via live streaming online HERE in India. Catch the action in the US HERE, while Australia viewers can live stream the match HERE. North Africa and Middle East viewers can catch all the action live online HERE, with the same for rest of Africa viewers HERE.
The Gunners continue to sit atop the league table but are under relentless pressure from the start-studded Manchester City and Jose Mourinho-led Chelsea, who are both waiting to capitalise on any kind of slip up by the north London outfit.
Arsene Wenger's men have regained form and momentum of late, having won their last five games in all competitions, after enduring a disappointing run of results against Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea, just before Christmas.
Fulham have seen a chequered time under new boss Rene Meulensteen, despite winning three of their last six matches. Wins over West Ham United and Norwich City have been offset by heavy defeats to Hull City and Sunderland, as the Cottagers continue to be part of the relegation battle.
Arsenal had won the reverse fixture 3-1 back in August, thanks to a brace from Lukas Podolski after Olivier Giroud's opener. Darren Bent scored a late consolation for the Cottagers.
Team News
Arsenal: Tomas Rosicky (broken nose) and Nacho Monreal (foot) both face late tests to confirm their participation in this tie, with the former expected to feature in a protective mask. However, Wenger still has to cope with a lengthy injury list with Mikel Arteta (calf), Aaron Ramsey (thigh), Theo Walcott, Thomas Vermaelen (both knee), Nicklas Bendtner (ankle), Yaya Sanogo (back) and Abou Diaby (knee) remaining sidelined.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made his much-awaited return from the sidelines after a five-month absence, with a substitute appearance against Aston Villa on Monday but the 20-year-old is still not 100% and is unlikely to be rushed back to starting line-up. Wenger could field an all-German attacking midfield today, with Serge Gnabry, Mesut Ozil and Podolski expected to feature behind lone striker Giroud.
Fulham: Defender Fernando Amorebieta (knee) and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (ankle) will have late fitness tests, while wing-back Matthew Briggs (hernia) has been ruled out. Captain Brede Hangeland could make his first league start since October, after playing 90 minutes against Norwich on Tuesday.
Key Men: Arsenal: Jack Wilshere, who was involved in both goals against Villa, has been quite threatening of late and also remains the team's engine in Ramsey's absence.
Fulham: Former Gunner Steve Sidwell has scored in his last three matches and is a threat, especially with his shots from outside the box.
Expected lineups: Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Flamini, Wilshere; Gnabry, Ozil, Podolski; Giroud
Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Burn, Hangeland, Riise; Duff, Parker, Sidwell, Dempsey; Taarabt; Berbatov
Prediction: 4-1 to Arsenal
