- Arsène Wenger is under pressure after no progress in the transfer market
- A 3-0 midweek win at Fenerbahçe all but assured Arsenal’s spot in Champions League group stage
- Fulham has lost its last four league matches at Craven Cottage
Talk about two teams that started the season off on different notes. Fulham and Arsenal come into their match on Saturday (7:45 a.m. ET, NBCSN) after vastly different results in their first fixtures and sharply contrasting buzz among fans and media.
Fulham defeated Sunderland 1-0 away from home, while 10-man Arsenal crumbled to Aston Villa, 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium after Laurent Koscielny picked up two yellow cards, despite going up a goal in the first six minutes. Manager Arsène Wenger has come under a lot of scrutiny for failing to make any big summer signings, with many pointing to the result as proof of necessary change.
The home side will likely need another good defensive performance to come up with a similar result against the Gunners as it got against Sunderland. Center back Brede Hangeland (pictured) led the line for the Whites, clearing 11 balls and making three interceptions to lead all defenders in both categories.
This fixture last season was a low-scoring affair, as Arsenal big man Per Mertesacker scored the only goal of the game to lead Arsenal to a 1-0 win. With Arsenal’s attack looking largely tame against Villa — although three different players scored in midweek against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League — scoring goals at Craven Cottage has become an interesting challenge in recent visits for the North Londoners.
Fulham will be without goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and left back Kieran Richardson, injured in the opening-day win, making its task of defending more difficult.
What they’re saying
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on his transfer policy: “I would just like to reiterate to you that in the last 16 years, we have been very successful with transfers. If you look at the players we have, they are top quality, and you should never forget that. It is not always to think what is outside is better than what you have. What is important as well is to rate what you have, and our fans have to understand that as well. It’s hard, but I can understand the impatience.”
Fulham forward Darren Bent on his loan signing: “I’m not just hungry to play football again. I’m absolutely starving. I’m ready to get going. Hopefully for the next game, I’ll get a piece of the action. I’ve missed on a couple of major competitions with England, but I just hope this is my year. I need to get back to playing regularly, scoring goals for Fulham, and that’s my priority. That’s what I do best.”
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey on the difficult start to the season: “It wasn’t the ideal start to the Premier League, but we bounced back [against Fenerbahçe]. … I’m feeling really confident at the moment. I’ve overcome my injury now, I feel, and after a couple of difficult seasons, I’m very happy, and hopefully, it will continue.”
Prediction
Even with all the turmoil at Arsenal, the team seems a bit too strong for Fulham. Forward Olivier Giroud provided the only goal against Villa last week, and he added another against Fenerbahçe, making him Arsenal’s go-to attacking player at the moment. With the right service, he should be able to bag another against Fulham and lead his team to victory.
