Premier League preview: Arsenal v Fulham

8 November 2012 08:04

Fulham can leapfrog Arsenal and establish themselves as European hopefuls when the teams meet at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Craven Cottage club, who are eighth on the English Premier League table with 15 points, trail seventh-placed Arsenal on goal difference.

Further up, only two points separate Fulham and Everton, who are fourth on the back of their impressive start to the campaign.

Fulham have not featured in European competition since the Europa League last season, when they qualified by virtue of the Fair Play league.

The south London side are unbeaten in their past four matches, having defeated Aston Villa and played out draws with Everton, Reading and Southampton.

Fulham, however, have never beaten Arsenal away from home, with Arsenal winning 22 times in addition to four draws.

Arsenal can ill afford to lose, having taken just two wins from their past six games in all competitions.

Arsene Wenger's men, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Schalke in the Champions League on Wednesday, play host to Fulham, Tottenham and Montpellier in successive weeks.

"It is going to be a tough month for us now," midfielder Theo Walcott said. "It is going to test us all, not just physically but mentally as well, and I think we are ready for it."

Walcott scored the opening goal against Schalke and was a shining light up front alongside Lucas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

"He did well, very well," Wenger said. "He had a positive attitude and he was the only one you always felt could make a difference."