First match in 2019 today Arsenal vs Fulham 1 January 2018.
Arsenal have now scored at least once in 41 of their last 43 Premier League (PL) home games, while netting multiple times in 32 of them (78%). More recently, Arsenal have developed a penchant for late goals, scoring at least once after the 75-minute mark in each of their last five home PL games.
The ability to score late provides a psychological edge, but there is a cautionary note, as both of Arsenal’s last two home PL games to produce over 3.5 goals have seen the ‘Gunners’ concede the third goal of the match.
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However, with Fulham registering just one PL clean sheet on the road so far this season, and returning an away record of: W0, D2, L8, it is very much fans of the ‘Cottagers’ who should ‘duck and cover’ for this opening match of 2019.
Fulham have lost each of their last seven away PL games against the current top six (GF 3, GA 22). The club’s H2H PL record away to Arsenal alone is also horrendous, standing at: W0, D4, L9, with all six (66.7%) of the Fulham defeats seeing a multi-goal margin.
Players to watch: Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has been the last goalscorer of the match in two of his last three home PL games, while Ryan Sessegnon is the last Fulham man to score in a PL away match from open play.
Stat attack: As a PL ‘ever-present’, Arsenal’s all-time record in opening PL matches of a calendar year stands at: W12, D9, L5 (GF 39, GA 21).
Arsenal have recovered no less than 11 points (61.1% – from a possible 18) from losing positions in home PL matches this season.
Eight of Fulham’s ten away PL matches have produced over 1.5 goals. Seven of those eight (87.5%) have seen Fulham concede again without reply, after conceding for the first time in the match.
Will not play.
Bellerin H.
(Calf Injury)
Chambers C.
(Loan agreement)
Holding R.
(Knee Injury)
Mawson A.
(Knee Injury)
Mavropanos K.
(Groin Injury)
Zambo Andre-Frank
(Injury)
Mkhitaryan H.
(Ankle Injury)
Smith-Rowe E.
(Groin Injury)
Welbeck D.
(Ankle Injury)
Questionable
Monreal N.
(Thigh Injury)
Ozil M.
(Knee Injury)
Match Information
Referee: Scott G. (Eng),
Venue: Emirates Stadium (London)