Pre-match reading

Related: Arsenal are too reliant on Saka and Smith Rowe, admits Mikel Arteta

Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Ryan; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Xhaka; Elneny, Ceballos; Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Lacazette.
Substitutes: Leno, Cedric, Chambers, Pablo Mari, Partey, Willian, Pepe, Nelson, Nketiah.

Fulham (4-2-3-1) Areola; Aina, Andersen, Tosin, Robinson; Lemina, Anguissa; Decordova-Reid, Cavaleiro, Lookman; Maja.
Substitutes: Fabri, Hector, Odoi, Ream, Bryan, Loftus-Cheek, Reed, Onomah, Mitrovic.

Hello. Most of the time, the teams fighting relegation see games against the Big Six as a free hit, with any points an unexpected bonus. Fulham have exhausted that luxury. They are seven points off safety with six games to go, so it’s now or never if they want to produce a bit of the old escapology. Fulham’s run-in includes trips to Arsenal today, then Chelsea and Manchester United. If they are to have a realistic chance of staying up, they need to win four of those six matches.

It’s not entirely beyond the realms. Fulham have done well in the tougher away games this season – they won at Liverpool, Leicester and Everton and drew at Spurs. And this isn’t the worst time to play Arsenal, who are going nowhere in the league and might still be high on their spectacular win in Prague on Thursday.

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