FULHAM vs
ARSENAL
Saturday, 26
September 2009
Arsenal look set
to be boosted by the return of Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin
when they travel to Fulham on Saturday.
Arshavin has not featured for the Gunners since aggravating a
groin injury while on international duty at the start of September,
but is expected to play a part at Craven Cottage.
Dutch striker Robin van Persie faces a late fitness test before
the Premier League clash, after missing the Carling Cup win over
West Brom on Tuesday.
Arsene Wenger will once again be without goalkeeper Manuel
Almunia who continues to recover from a chest infection, with Vito
Mannone or Wojciech Szczesny set to deputise in his absence.
Young attacker Theo Walcott is nearing a return to the
first-team after a spell on the sidelines with a back problem, and
although unlikely to play 90 minutes against the Cottagers, he
could feature at some point.
Denilson (back), Samir Nasri (leg), Lukasz Fabianski (knee),
Johan Djourou (knee) and Carlos Vela (ankle) remain out.
Fulham are likely to make a number of changes from their 2-1
Carling Cup defeat to Manchester City during the week, where Roy
Hodgson rested a number of key players.
Zoltan Gera grabbed a goal in the game at the City of Manchester
Stadium and could be in line for a start against the Gunners, with
Hodgson not troubled by any fresh injury worries.
Mark Schwarzer may return between the sticks after David
Stockdale had a poor game at Eastlands, while key players Andy
Johnson, Bobby Zamora and Brede Hangeland are all expected to
return to the fold.
Fulham defeated Arsenal 1-0 at Craven Cottage last season and
Hodgson will be hoping his side can cause an upset after an
indifferent start to the current campaign.
Wenger will be looking to avoid a hat-trick of successive away
defeats when his side face their London rivals.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hughes,
Hangeland, Pantsil, Dempsey, Etuhu, Murphy, Duff, Zamora, A
Johnson.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen,
Clichy, Rosicky, Fabregas, Diaby, Arshavin, Eduardo, Van
Persie.
