We finally have Next, second national break in the current season and we are happy to return to club football. Arsenal are facing a little London derby, just like before the break. This time, however, the charges Mikel Arteta's they're not playing at home, they're playing away. Specifically, at Craven Cottage, where they will welcome home Fulham. Arsenal are the clear favourites for the clash, all things considered, but that is no guarantee of success. In previous seasons, including the last one, Fulham managed to turn their city rival for points. So what to expect from Saturday's London derby? Let's focus on the most important things together.
Form
Once again, we're in a situation where we're club football was interrupted for a fortnight by the national break, so the current form of the teams will be rather difficult to assess. Of course, we will look on the results and performances of both teams before the breakbut we can't talk about actual form as such.
Arsenal
Arsenal got into decent form before the national break, even climbing to the top of the Premier League. Despite two league losses in three rounds (defeat to Liverpool and a draw with Manchester City), Mikel Arteta's charges managed to return to winning ways. They currently have five wins, one draw and one defeat in the domestic competition.
Of the last five games, Arsenal have across all competitions an impressive balance sheet four wins and one draw. In the Premier League, the record is slightly worse (three wins, one draw and one defeat), but on the other hand, the Gunners are unbeaten in these matches for four rounds in a row. The defensive performances of the Gunners are worth a special mention. Of the ten competitive matches that Mikel Arteta's charges have entered this season, they have managed to keep a clean sheet seven times! A solid defensive performance is one of the cornerstones of Arsenal's successful results. Overall, the form of the North London side is positive. The question is whether the Gunners can pick up where they left off before the national break.
Fulham
In the longer term, and also in terms of table position Fulham are not in a good place. After seven rounds of play, he has his 8 points for two wins and two draws, in the table he currently ranks 14th. This is definitely not an area the club would like to be in for the long term. Fulham have ambitions to be in the top half of the table. It doesn't lack the necessary quality to do so.
Now I'm slowly moving towards form. Looking at the last five competitive games Fulham's record is pretty decent. Three wins and two defeats doesn't look bad on paper. However, when we take a closer look at the Cottagers' results, we find out, it hasn't been so great in the last few games. One of the three victories came in the League Cup against Cambridge United, a team that plays in the fourth highest competition. In addition, Fulham have lost their last two games 1-3. First, they lost to Aston Villa at Villa Park and then they lost to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. If I should take into account only league results, the record of Marco Silva's charges is even worse. Namely, two wins and three defeats. The last loss, which I haven't mentioned yet, was in the derby at Chelsea's ground, where Fulham lost 0:2.
On the other hand, the Craven Cottage players got points in the games against Leeds (1-0) and Brentford (3-1). It should be added that all the wins Fulham have won have come at home. The Portuguese manager's charges even haven't lost at their home stadium yet this season. This balance could be a psychological advantage for them going into Saturday's derby.
Team and expected line-up
Although all indications are that the Arsenal players have returned from their national team reunions without injury, Mikel Arteta will still have to to deal with a tangible loss. Martin Ødegaard, who only returned to the lineup at the beginning of the month after a shoulder injury, will be out again. In the home derby against the Kladivars, he had to retire after half an hour when he was unable to continue after a knee-on-knee collision with a teammate. Subsequent tests revealed that the injury was more serious than originally expected. The Arsenal captain will miss up to six weeks, according to initial estimates. What line-up will the Spanish strategist choose for the game against Fulham?
David Raya
David Raya...a stalwart among the three poles. As long as the Spanish goalkeeper is fit, we can count on will be part of the starting eleven in all league games. Saturday at Craven Cottage should be no different.
Jurriën Timber
Jurriën Timber is currently the number one right-back position for Mikel Arteta, even if he's not, I'd expect him to be in the starting line-up at Craven Cottage. Ben White is still not in full fitness, which was confirmed by the Arsenal manager himself at the pre-match press conference. Another option is Cristhian Mosquera, but in his case I don't see any reason why he should be preferred to the Dutch footballer.
William Saliba
In my opinion, the positions of both stoppers are as clear and unshakeable as the goalkeeper's. The obvious choice for the centre of defence for Mikel Arteta is the duo William Saliba and Gabriel. No wonder. Both players are among the best in the business. Plus, they have a chemistry that takes them both to the next level. Whether one or the other is missing from the line-up, it will be because of rotation, which the Spanish manager has not the slightest reason to do against Fulham.
Gabriel
For Gabriel practically the same thing that applies to William Saliba. I find myself repeating blog after blog with these two footballers, but I guess there's no other way to do it here. The Brazilian stopper will start alongside his French teammate.
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori is for me personally one of the most pleasant surprises of this season. Not that I didn't trust his abilities last year, but in the current season he is showing really great and above all consistent performances. That's why he's deservedly first choice at left fullback. However, there is a lot of competition for this position as well. Not only the young Myles Lewis-Skelly is waiting for his chance, but also the healed Piero Hincapié, who can play in the middle and on the edge of the defence. Against Fulham I expect an Italian international in the starting line-up.
Declan Rice
The Spanish manager also has more options in the centre of midfield, but Declan Rice in my opinion, should not be absent from either of them. Theoretically, of course, it is possible that the England international will not appear on the pitch from the first minute, but I would be very surprised. His contribution to Arsenal's game is probably not worth discussing. A midfield powerhouse who can cover an incredible amount of space, making him valid defensively and offensively. And while we're on the subject of offense, it's worth mentioning that he is the main right-footed executor of all standard situations, which are one of Arsenal's big weapons.
Mikel Merino
Although Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martín Zubimendi will be ready for Saturday's game despite his absence from Thursday's training session, I think this time from the first minute his compatriot Mikel Merino. There are several reasons for this, the shooting form of the Spanish player (Merino scored two more accurate shots during the national team meeting) and the absence of Martin Ødegaard. I don't need to explain the shooting form, it probably speaks for itself. But I will briefly comment on the absence of the Arsenal captain. With Eberechi Eze quite likely to take the place of the Norwegian playmaker, Mikel Arteta will have all right-footed players in the centre of midfield. Another reason that makes me confident that we will see an experienced Spaniard who is left footed in the midfield.
Eberechi Eze
In the absence of Martin Ødegaard, the most natural and logical solution is Eberechi Eze. Youngster Ethan Nwaneri could also get some space, but I don't believe he will start from the first minute. If Mikel Arteta really decides to use Ethan Nwaneri in the number 10 position, I think the lineup would change in the more defensive midfield spots, with Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi starting alongside each other. Personally, however, I'm leaning more towards the Rice - Merino - Eze.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka missed a few games early in the season due to injury, but should be back to full fitness now. And more importantly. in great form, which he confirmed on the national stage. He scored another goal against Wales and an assist against Latvia. All indications are that "Starboy" is back with everything after a short injury. Let's hope he continues his great performances at Craven Cottage, where he should be wearing a captain's armband.
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli in the last few games before the national break his performances loudly told for a place in the starting lineup. The proof is the club's award for the best player of the month for September. Martinelli continued his good performances and shooting form in the national team jersey. During the national break, he played in one match, in which he scored a goal. I believe that the quick-footed Brazilian will be preferred to Leandro Trossard against Fulhamwho is another hot candidate for the left wing position.
Viktor Gyökeres
Viktor Gyökeresa name that appears in the media almost every day. The reason for this is his streak of games without scoring a goal, which he has not been able to break even in a national team jersey. Although I would obviously be happier if the Swedish striker had a few more goals to his name, I am not worried about his record. He can score goals and I believe he will remind us of that again very soon. If I had to guess, he will break his shooting fast on Saturday at Craven Cottage, but I wouldn't like to get ahead of myself.
Substitutes
Assuming I have correctly estimated the starting eleven, the substitutes' bench should look like this for the Fulham game: Kepa Arrigabalaga, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Piero Hincapié, Christian Nørgaard, Martín Zubimendi, Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard. It was reported on social media that Ben White and Martín Zubimendi were missing from Thursday's training session, but personally I think they will both be ready. This was later confirmed by the Spanish manager himself. In case one of them (or anyone else) drops out of the nomination, the youngster would complete the nomination Max Dowman.
Due to health problems, they will not play at Craven Cottage Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz. However, according to the latest information, the latter is very close to a comeback. Havertz has even returned to the team training and although the German striker will not play against Fulham yet, he could reportedly be part of the squad for the next league game against Crystal Palace. As I mentioned earlier today, the Gunners have a new addition to their roster. Martin Ødegaard. Again. Arsenal will have to do without their captain until at least the next national break, which is scheduled for the first half of November. With the imminent return of Kai Havertz and a longer term injury to the Norwegian playmaker, is a "new" 4-4-2 formation looming? Let's be surprised.
About the opponent
Fulham is another traditional London club and a regular in the Premier League, so no need for a long introduction. In the beginning of the blog we took both the current form (or rather the form before the national break) and the table position. Now we just need to analyze the squad. To be more precise introducing the most interesting faces in Marco Silva's squad.
Of course, I know that there are several footballers who used to play in north London who wear the Fulham jersey, but I'll save those for last. So if I were to start chronologically by position (I'll come back to goalkeeper Len), I must mention the stopper duo Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey. I have a very positive long-term view of the Danish defender. His Nigerian partner is also one of the stalwarts and mainstays of Fulham's defence. In the midfield, I would like to single out a youngster Joshua Kingwho, at 18, is starting to make his mark at Fulham. Among the offensive players, I can't forget the pair of Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Munizwho often fight each other for the number one position at the tip of the attack. Unfortunately, both players are currently out for Fulham due to injury, so we are unlikely to see them on the pitch in Saturday's derby.
New summer reinforcements are also worth mentioning. Namely, these are Samuel Chukwuezewho headed to Craven Cottage from the famous AC Milan and Brazilian ball wizard Kevinwho came from Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.
Arsenal footprint
Now comes the space for Fulham players with a history at Arsenal. In recent years, Fulham have often been nicknamed "Arsenal B" by their fans. Why? The reason is simple, a much used transfer route on the Arsenal - Fulham line. Several former Gunners players are now donning the Cottagers' jersey, including Bernd Lendo, Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith-Rowe. All three are important members of Marco Silva's squad, especially goalkeeper Bernd Leno and midfielder Alex Iwobi. In addition, Reiss Neslon, who was on loan at Craven Cottage last season, has expanded this colony. Before this season, however, the English winger swapped Fulham for Brentford, and so the number of former Arsenal players at Craven Cottage has decreased.
Match
The difference in quality and width of the squad is significant. At least on paper. This is not to diminish Fulham's quality, but after Arsenal's summer transfer window, there are few teams in the English Premier League that can match the Gunners in this regard. Despite some notable players on the sidelines, Mikel Arteta has plenty to choose from. The Fulham manager himself acknowledged in his pre-match press conference that Arsenal's roster is full of quality players. Form, both before the break and in the long term, is also playing into the hands of the North London outfit. The first place in the table is probably the best proof of that. Fulham will be able to build on their impressive record at Craven Cottage, where they have not lost once this season.
What will the match itself offer? Again, I'm not coming up with anything groundbreaking. The visiting footballers should have the baton in their hands. Dominance in possession of the ball, territorial superiority and the associated greater danger in front of goal. These are the expectations on Arsenal's side. Fulham will certainly not want to play an open game and will focus primarily on a compact performance defensively and on moving quickly into breakaway situations. Although I don't think that the Gunners will have an easy game, I believe that they are a team with enough quality and experience to take all three points from Craven Cottage. I predict Arsenal to win 2:0.
Next match
Arsenal are in for another match-rich season. Mikel Arteta's men will play their next competitive game on Tuesday (21 October 2025 at 21:00 CET), when the Spanish side arrive in north London as part of the Champions League Atlético Madrid. As for the Premier League, the Gunners will play their third London derby in a row on Sunday (26 October 2025 at 15:00 CET). This time, they'll come to Emirates Stadium Crystal Palace.
See you next time, I'll look forward to it!
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Editor, administrator and editor of the True Gunner Diary website, but above all a devoted Arsenal fan. I started with sports articles at the Tipsport bookmaker, where I have published more than 100 blogs. If you want to know more about me, check out the section of the same name here on the site.