Verdict: Bukayo Saka over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Luckster

Marking their return from October’s international break this weekend, Arsenal will travel across the capital when they meet Fulham on Saturday evening.

Fulham

Starting with the hosts, while some in Fulham’s camp might have opened up the new campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge, the Cottagers have failed to find any kind of stability. Heading into October’s international break with consecutive 3-1 defeats against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, it has been suggested that Marco Silva could be growing frustrated in west London. Marking their return from the fortnight interval sat in the bottom-half of the Premier League standings, the former Everton boss will be bracing himself for another stern examination here. However, despite falling to a 2-1 loss when they last met Arsenal back on April 1st, Fulham will take some solace from their success on home soil. Including a 3-1 win against local rivals Brentford on September 20th, Silva’s side have won all of their last four showdowns at Craven Cottage across all competitions by an aggregate score of 7-1.

Fulham Team News

Limping off in the opening exchanges against Bournemouth and dealing with a reported abductor issue, Serbian International Sasa Lukic is expected to miss out here. Likewise, dealing with a recent hamstring injury, Brazilian marksman Rodrigo Muniz is also unlikely to feature.

Despite still waiting to open his Premier League account, 18-year-old sensation Joshua King could once again be deployed in a false nine role. Now in his fourth campaign at Craven Cottage, ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno will start between the sticks.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, heading into October’s international break with a routine 2-0 victory against local rivals West Ham, Arsenal will be looking to carry on from where they left off prior to the fortnight interval. Getting their Champions League adventure underway with consecutive 2-0 wins against Olympiacos and Athletic Bilbao, the mood around north London appears to be at a red-hot high. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway leading the chase at the top of the Premier League table, Saturday’s guests have put 16 points on the board from their first seven outings. Gaining a reputation for their defensive steel, Mikel Arteta’s title contenders will be looking to lay down another marker here. In fact, Arsenal have shipped just a trio of Premier League strikes so far this season. Clinching that 2-1 win when they last met Fulham back in April, the Gunners are installed as a standout contender here.

Arsenal Team News

Dealing with an injury crisis this season, Arsenal have confirmed that skipper Martin Odegaard faces another stint on the sidelines. Likewise, all still dealing with respective knee injuries, the Gunners will also be unable to call upon the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and summer recruit Noni Madueke.

Featuring for Spain over the past fortnight, former Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi should be handed a full recall in the middle of the park. Despite failing to find the net in any of their his last eight appearances for club and country, big-money summer recruit Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line here.

Fulham vs Arsenal Key Factors to Consider

• When Fulham and Arsenal last met back on April 1st, the Gunners collected a 2-1 victory in north London.
• Arsenal have won all of their previous four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-1.
• The Gunners have shipped just three goals in their first seven Premier League appearances.
• Fulham entered October’s international break with back-to-back 3-1 losses against Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
• However, the Cottagers have won their last four showdowns in west London across all competitions by an aggregate score of 7-1.

Conclusion

Heading into October’s international break in the midst of a sensational run, Arsenal will be looking to carry on from where they left off prior to the fortnight interval. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway leading the chase at the top of the Premier League standings, Arteta’s title contenders will be looking to make another statement here. Landing a 2-1 win when they last met Fulham back in April, Saturday’s guests will be hoping to widen their buffer over the chasing pack.

Verdict: Bukayo Saka over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Luckster