Who is it this time?
After ruthlessly despatching old enemies mid-week, it is time for, hopefully, more of the same with a few old friends on Sunday. We visit Craven Cottage this weekend to play a Fulham side that has just moved up into 6th place with a 3-1 win over Brighton. It was a game I watched in the wee small hours of an Osakan Friday morning, dedicated as I am to my scouting duties, and after taking detailed and highly strategic notes I can report they played alright. However, let’s park Fulham and their fulsome quota of Gooners past and present for now.
How’s things down Arsenal Way?
The Arsenal have played far better than alright recently and will be going for our 5th straight win since the last period of international dullness, having knocked in 15 and conceded only three. Why the upturn? Well, the return of Øde, the special new scoring boots that the boss got for the squad wholesale, and the consistent brilliance of Bukayo Saka have seen the return of the smiley, happy Goonerverse that we all prefer to its grumpier, fractious cousin. That we have done so while making forced changes / resting players in defence, midfield and attack is also a good sign. Rotation is more important than ever, I believe, as there will be no winter breaks in the sun this season. MA hasn’t always used the squad widely during his tenure, for good reason in the past, but he has been like a ‘changes man’ recently. He has also been quick to praise some of the squad players coming in. Kiwior and Zin being the most recent duo to bask in the warm glow of MA’s love after the canter against Man United – admittedly the worst Surrey Wanderers side since, well actually, only since last season’s shower but then you can only beat what’s planted in front of you. Yes, both Kiwior and Zin made mistakes that put us at risk (as by the way at times do Gabriel and Calafiori), but in what was a rare start at this level recently they both did many good things as well, everyone remembers Zin’s mistake but few mention the important and well-timed interception he made two minutes earlier to stop a break. I have no idea if Gabriel and Calafiori will be fit but if they can’t make it then I am quite happy to go with the same XI against Fulham. Fulham are, if my eyes and the league table are to be believed, a better side than Man United (I enjoyed writing that immensely, especially as it’s true) but I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t continue on our merry way with another win.
Who will deliver the three points?
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, MA has been making changes while winning the last four games and only five players have started in every game – although I am sure you just rattled them off in your head I will list them up anyway – Raya, Timber, Saliba, Øde and Saka. I am not sure that going away to a team currently in 6th is the place to rest any of them and so would expect all to start. I assume the recently resurgent Rice as well as Kai will also start, which leaves TP / Jorginho and Leo / Gabi M who have alternated across recent games. I have no idea how MA will look at it but I would prefer the slightly more press-resistant TP5 at DM for this one and the quicker Gabi to exploit a potential Fulham weakness at full-back.
My XI
Raya
Timber Saliba Gabriel (Kiwior) Calafiori (Zin)
Partey Øde Rice
Saka Kai Gabi M
What about Fulham?
Firstly, it must be said they are not at our level. However, secondly it must also be said that they weren’t at our level last season either and we dropped 5 points via a disappointing home draw against 10 men and then slightly under a year ago, on New Year’s Eve, things went even more pear-shaped with an away defeat that was so bad even the normally smooth waters of the Holic pond were a tad agitated (read the report and drinks of 1st January 2024 if you don’t believe such a thing to be even possible!). Fulham have started well enough this season though I think the fixture list has been kind and, of course, they now have the services of Bernd Leno, Alex Iwobi, Reiss Nelson (on loan) and one of our favourite sons, Emile Smith-Rowe. I generally wish them well but sentiment be damned and I hope we give them a good stuffing this time round. MA was asked about ESR at his presser and spoke of his real gratitude for ESR’s contribution over several months at a difficult time for the club. They were undoubtedly ESR’s finest hours for us and many believe they were instrumental in saving MA’s job. We will never know the truth of that of course but it’s certainly true that I was very grateful too at the time! It was a joy to see such a great Arsenal lad and a cracking player get his moments in the sun.
However, that was then and this is now, so how will Fulham line up? Generally, 4-2-3-1 in front of Leno. This season has regularly seen the three to be Iwobi – ESR – Nelson and with some degree of success. The last game against Brighton saw Iwobi further back with Pereira rested (dropped?) and he had an excellent game scoring twice and generally Iwobi-ing around to good effect. ESR on the other hand was very quiet and looked slightly out-of-sorts. Nelson did a hammy during the game but, of course, couldn’t have played against us anyway. I imagine Adama Traore will take his place. However, Silva takes off all the front 4 in almost every game regardless of who starts so other familiar names like Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenz will appear at some point. Their defence has looked suspect to me whenever I have seen them and I hope Saka will have some joy against Robinson (he has scored in the last two against Fulham) and either Martinelli or Trossard against either Tete or an aging Castagne on the other wing. Probably Bassey and Diop will start as CBs, they look somewhat loose to me and Brighton wasted several good chances to get back in the game. Opportunities will certainly come our way unless Marco Silva decides to shut up shop and go with a 5-4-1 formation. In that case, step forward the best set-piece team in Europe.
Oh! I almost forgot, a quick run-through of Fulham’s history. They have never won anything worth noting though they did get to the FA Cup Final in 1975 with Bobby Moore and Alan Mullery but lost to a West Ham side that had also, annoyingly, knocked us out in the quarter-finals. Fulham are however the oldest club in London, having been founded in 1879, and have played at Craven Cottage since 1896. Before that they had used a variety of venues including The Mud Pond in Fulham and The Half-Moon in Putney on what I assume was a football pitch, or perhaps another pond, next to the famous old pub. By quite an astonishing coincidence my brother watched Geraint Watkins and the Mosquitos live at the very same pub last week – photographic evidence above. I honestly cannot imagine what else anyone would want to know about Fulham after reading that exclusive. However, I can share that the one and only original Guvnor and many other Holics have often enjoyed visiting the ground, quite startling in its difference from the unpleasant atmosphere at the nearby bus stop. Let’s hope it’s an enjoyable visit this time too, which brings us neatly to the score.
Given our current return to robust good health, I expect us to stick at least three past their suspect defence. It would be a fitting atonement for the sins of the past season and exactly the sort of better performance requested in the headline to this piece.
Fulham seem to almost always score at home so 3-1 would be my prediction for this week.
That’s about it for now, as ever thanks to all our readers, hope to see you at the drinks in the bar and enjoy the game wherever you may be.
Hoping for a late injury to one of Fulham’s back line, and for them to use substitite new signing Gerain’t Watkins in his place. Revenge required, indeed, OM. COYRRHSNBG!!!
This kind of headline warms the heart:
“Postecoglou has ‘no interest’ whether fans back him“
Excellent, Matt – brilliantly written, fun preview 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I note with interest – and in keeping with your music based headline photo – that Shirley Bassey in the Fulham defence is now employing the diminished form of background vocals “Diop” compared with the previous iteration of “Papa Bouba Diop”. Still, hard times I guess – and Fulham have a whole new stand, hotel and shopping complex to pay for 😳
Wrongs to right from last season so while any win will be good, a sound thrashing and brilliant performance would be even better to maintain confidence and momentum.
Their shaky defence will be quaking in their boots as the New Stoke roll into town with our army of back post giants. Stoke is an easy comparison to make as I’m sure we all remember the host of players at Stoke exactly like Ødegaard and Saka …..
Great preview Matt , a lovely balance of detail , history and good humour . This is a fixture I used to attend regularly and saw some fine wins there over the years . I missed last year’s fiasco but saw the one earlier that year with Btm and Bath and it was a cakewalk
Fulham is the 26th richest club in the world apparently and a visit to the Riverside Stand indicates why- mega-expensive and nothing like the friendly neutral end at the Putney Bridge End .
We will have several agents behind enemy lines tomorrow and I think we will see a hard fought victory . Matt’s 3-1 sounds about right
Cheers Matt. On my way….back from London. At some point I was hoping for a Saturday match to rekindle my affection for Craven Cottage (tickets permitting), but it wasn’t to be so I shall be watching on TV. In the pub or not, that is the question, as I’ve had more drinks than envisaged last night (a gig in….Tufnell Park, not Fulham).
Quite, Trev. The Stoke comparisons arw wide of the mark.
They didn’t have a Saliba either. How good was he, with the ball at his feet on Wednesday?
A perfect aperitif to a tantalising game, Matt. I must confess that I had to google Geraint Watkins as I had never heard of the chap. As a result I discovered that Nick Lowe once observed that he could be filed as “the missing link between Paulo Conte and Howlin’ Wolf” (though that leaves me none the wiser as to his music style) and that he and the Mosquitoes are playing at the Sound Lounge in Sutton tomorrow afternoon and tickets are still available should any Holics in the area be unable to visit the Cottage and at a loose end.
Your team selection would be mine too though Zinny might find the rugby player manqué in Traore a bit of a handful and I think your predicted score is the likeliest outcome. I’ve seen quite a lot of Fulham over the past year and Silva is doing a great job with their relatively limited resources which they supplement with a price of £150 for a seat in the Riverside Stand. They lack a goalscorer though of late Jimenez is rediscovering the form he showed before his head bump with Luiz, and Iwobi appears to be in the form of his life. ESR is a firm favourite. Their defence can be porous and Andersen is their best hope to bring organisation. Frankly, we should win but I did also think that a year ago.
That was a very jolly read, OM. 3-1 over the Old Boys would do nicely.
To save anyone from a trip to Sutton:
Thanks Ned. 🙂
Lovely preview Matt! All the accolades in the comments are well-deserved. 🙂
This will be Ødegaard’s 100th appearance as Arsenal captain. With a 66% winning percentage he is the most successful in our history of captains with more than 20 matches with the armband. That’s definitely not all due to him, Mikel has been building an impressively consistent side, but his absence showed us how much he means to the entire team — not just in terms of his world class creativity, but his understated leadership qualities in keeping the playing eleven organized and in transmitting the sophisticated tactical choices onto the pitch. Just watching him play — whether dropping back to receive the ball from the backline, instigating the press from the front, creating chances through packed defenders, telepathically combining with Saka to open up opposition right side time and again, carrying the ball through a dense midfield using effective technique and close control of finesse and subtlety…
Hoping for a great performance and a convincing victory to celebrate the occasion. Come on Arsenal!
City drop two more points is it?
My daughter is currently dating a Man United supporter. She’s just messaged me to say it’s currently very quiet in the pub!
Back after more than a few moons,
First, respect to the OG David Faber.
Just want to say how happy I am that we still here after all these years.
I read all the post and today for some reason I just thought it right to give my thanks and appreciation to all that make this possible.
Thank you so so much!
I’ve been a Gooner since 1997 and will always be till the last post…pun intended😊
Kenyan Gooner, if I can take the liberty to speak for all who have helped to develop and maintain this blog, I can confidently respond that your kind words will be highly appreciated. We have had many discussions concerning how widely the blog is read (as the data collected is arcane) and whether the efforts involved in its production are justified in view of the markedly fewer ‘drinks’ we receive compared to the numbers on Dave’s blogs. Your words provide much encouragement that there may be an unrecognised worldwide readership.
Thanks KG. A drink of your choice on the bar.
Kenyan Gooner – thanks on behalf of everyone here for your kind words. Good to see you here again on the Eve of Dave’s favourite away game. Don’t be a stranger.
Cheers, Kenyan Gooner! It’s wonderful to see your post, and reminds us of the reasons that we loved Dave’s site so much that we wanted to keep it alive. As has been said, don’t be a stranger which is to say DO be a friend by checking in on us from time to time, or (my preference) oftener than that. 😄
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/07/iwobi-smith-rowe-giving-arsenal-fulham-reason-to-believe
A good read from Liew.
Thanks all for the kind words gents, it was a fun waffle as always
And hello again Kenyan Gooner, been a while as you say and it’s good to see you’re still with us 👋👋
Cheers Matt!
Very nicely set up, Matt.
I’ve been at the last three Fulham games. In the first we were like a machine, powering to victory. In the second we guilty of defensive inattention. In the third we looked like eleven individuals who’d met in the car park outside the ground for the first time ever, and despite the gift of an early soft goal to help those strangers become acquainted, we never looked liked winning.
A better performance this year pretty please, lads. Indeed.
@7 Bath,
Géraient is, according to my brother, Bob Dylan’s favourite keyboard player and plays a mean accordion. Who knew. Not me certainly.
Good read here, too. Thanks for the link@19 as well, Matt.
COYG
Thanks OM
I’m always a bit nervous when playing against some of the people we let go and I still rate those now at Fulham for their various reasons.
However, in this moment, I fancy us for 2-0.
UTA.
I am doubly nervous, Noosa, as it’s been far too good a weekend so far, personally and footballistically (Ok, Bordeaux only drew at home), and these things often have a way of failing just at the, er, death.
Kenyan Gooner@13: Let me add a belated welcome to you on your return. As others say, don’t be a stranger.
No Big Gabi today, and Zinchenko has gone in the fetlock
Raya,
Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber,
Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice,
Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Heaven, Merino, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Sterling, Jesus
Raya
Partey Saliba Kiwior Timber
Jorginho Rice Odegaard
Saka Kai Leo
Subs Neto, MLS, Heaven, KT3, Nwaneri, Merino, Sterling, Jesus, Gabi M
No Gabriel, Zin or Calafiori on the bench so not fit I assume.
Going to be tricky with TP and Timber both out of position.
Thanks OM for an informative & entertaining preview.
Looking at the teams just announced doesn’t fill me with confidence, particularly bearing in mind our recent efforts against them. Mr Chaos ( aka Adama Traore ) is showing as left wing which means he will be up against TP5 – not the speediest of our players. Traore normally makes a mess of most of the chances that his speed makes for himself – let’s hope this is not the one game per season where he makes them count.
May those of our fraternity who are attending have a great time enjoying an entertaining win.
COYRRR
Can we come from behind? Of course we can.
Frustrating to be behind, we’ve been
playing much better than last season
there.
Yeah exactly that, Matt. Apparently Fulham are the first team this season being ahead at half time having had just one fucking shot on goal. Don’t think that last wild attempts counts as a shot?
Agreed Matt, but there is still something missing in games like this. If we don’t score early we tend to struggle these days.
I’m interested to see what changes are made this half.
That was close but get-in you beauty!
Could do with making this dominance count.
Aaarrrgh had to score that one
Oh Partey!
And yeah what SP said.
Show of faith in Nwaneri.
And silly from Gabi M.
Nervous last few minutes
Really hasn’t been Gabi M’s day so far
That is a bastard
Should of won that really, it was a frustrating afternoon. We had a couple of good chances and I don’t know how TP missed his one.
I thought Gabi M lucky to stay on the pitch at the end there, he obviously threw the ball at the guy. Though it would have been a joke if we had a player sent off in that game after Fulham’s rotational fouling.
OM@41: You can usually rely on Kavannagh to see the funny side of things. He must be losing his mojo missing out on an opportunity like that to give an Arsenal player a second yellow red.
That felt like two points dropped, with VAR chalking off Saka’s late goal only adding to the frustration. A better performance than in the corresponding game last season, but we really should have won that, given the dominance we had.
Partey can bazooka them from 30 yards but can’t head a ball for toffee.
That was poor but not as poor as last season’s visit to the Cottage. Despite almost complete ball and territorial dominance in the second half we mad too few chances and spurned a couple that we did make. Frankly we should have won but really didn’t do enough to ensure that we won. Saka looked tired and was well marshalled by Robinson. Haverz and Trossard worked hard but didn’t threaten Fulham’s goal while their replacements didn’t even do as well as them. Ødegaard was busy but swamped whenever he tried to get into their box and was probably further hampered by two very heavy challenges in the first half. Indeed, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see him subbed at half time but he’s a highly committed young man.
I would rotate the forwards on Wednesday starting a front five of Sterling, Nwaneri, Jesus, Merino and Martinelli and tell Jesus and Martinelli that they’re playing for their place in next season’s squad. Big guns on the bench to come on if it goes tits up.
I blame myself Bath. In the title for this preview I asked for a better performance, I should have said a better performance and 3 points.
>>>>>>>