Fulham and Arsenal head into Sunday’s London derby at Craven Cottage riding a wave of confidence following impressive midweek victories. Both teams secured crucial wins by two-goal margins, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter between the capital’s rivals.
Fulham’s best start yet
Marco Silva’s Fulham are enjoying their best-ever Premier League start, sitting on 22 points after 14 matches—a milestone the Cottagers have never achieved before. Their 3-1 victory over Brighton on Thursday showcased resilience and efficiency, even if the performance was not entirely convincing.
Late drama has become a hallmark of Fulham’s games at Craven Cottage this season. For the third successive home match, two goals were scored after the 75th minute. The ground has also been a hub for attacking football, with both teams finding the net in all seven Premier League fixtures played there this term.
This trend bodes well for a potentially high-scoring affair, especially considering Fulham’s memorable 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the same venue last December. That result ended an 11-game winless streak against the Gunners (D3, L8) and highlighted the Cottagers’ capability to upset stronger opponents.
Former Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi has been instrumental in Fulham’s success this season. After netting twice against Brighton, Iwobi has now been directly involved in eight goals this campaign—already surpassing his total contributions from last season.
Arsenal’s ruthless streak continues
Arsenal, meanwhile, continued their post-international break resurgence with a commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Thursday. Both goals came from corners, a set-piece scenario where the Gunners have been prolific, scoring 41 times since the start of the 2021/22 season—at least seven more than any other Premier League side.
Mikel Arteta’s team has won their last four matches by margins of two or more goals, underlining their dominance. Their recent record at Craven Cottage also inspires confidence, with Arsenal winning four of their last five visits to Fulham by at least two goals.
Away from home, Arsenal have been particularly devastating, scoring ten goals across their last two league games on the road. Remarkably, eight of those goals came before half-time, with six different players getting on the scoresheet. Their firepower in London derbies is especially notable, as they have scored in every away capital clash since May 2022, with a record of W12, D3, L2 in those matches.
Defender Jürrien Timber, fresh from scoring his first Arsenal goal in midweek, remains an unsung hero for the Gunners. Arsenal have won all seven matches in which Timber has found the net, and his versatility could be key to stifling Fulham’s attacking threat.
What to expect
This London derby promises to be an intense contest between two confident teams. Arsenal’s superior firepower and ruthlessness on the road make them favourites, but Fulham’s home form and recent history against the Gunners suggest this could be a tightly contested encounter.
Hot stat
Arsenal’s opponents have received the first yellow card in each of their last nine away matches, highlighting the Gunners’ ability to draw fouls and disrupt the rhythm of their rivals.
With both teams in form, Sunday’s clash at Craven Cottage has all the ingredients for an entertaining affair that could significantly impact the Premier League standings.
