Fulham v Arsenal preview: Unai Emery set to make changes as Gunners chase ninth straight wn

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery is likely to make wholesale changes for Sunday's Premier League clash at Fulham (kick-off 12pm).

Emery made nine alterations for the 3-0 Europa League win in Qarabag as the Gunners racked up an eighth straight win in all competitions.

He will be hoping to have Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back from illness and Aaron Ramsey could feature as he waits for his wife to give birth, while Alex Iwobi's excellent form could be rewarded with a start at Fulham.

"Aubameyang and Aaron are in London and we will look tomorrow and Saturday to see how they are for Sunday to see if they can play," Emery said in his post-match press conference.

"For us, each match is very important to show us and for them to take responsibility, take confidence and take rhythm. Each match is one exam for them. I am very happy with how they are responding on the pitch. Alex Iwobi is another player who is the same.

"When we arrive on the match at Sunday against Fulham, it's also very important that we decide the best first eleven and the players on the bench for continuing together in this way, away at a very good and difficult team like Fulham."

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Meanwhile, Slavisa Jokanovic knows Fulham, who are 17th in the table, will face a tough test when the Gunners visit Craven Cottage.

"They are the most in-form team in the Premier League, the only team who won the last five games in a row," said Jokanovic.

"It's a big club, a good team, and we don't need any extra motivation, but we need to be motivated for our opportunity to play against this kind of team, and to find a better level. We are going to be ready and motivated for the battle."

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Team news

Fulham defenders Joe Bryan and Timothy Fosu-Mensah have been ruled out of Sunday's clash against Arsenal.

Bryan has a hamstring injury and Fosu-Mensah has a dislocated shoulder, with the pair joining midfielder Neeskens Kebano (ankle) on the sidelines.

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Defender Alfie Mawson is in contention to return following a back injury, while fit-again midfielder Tom Cairney is pushing to start.

Meanwhile, Petr Cech (hamstring), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (leg), Laurent Koscielny (Achilles) and Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) are missing but Henrikh Mkhitaryan is back in the squad after missing the trip to Azerbaijan.

Opta stats

• Fulham last faced Arsenal in January 2014 in the Premier League, losing 2-0 - the Cottagers have won just three of their 26 Premier League games against the Gunners (D5 L18).
• Arsenal have won their last two Premier League matches at Craven Cottage, with this their first visit since August 2013.
• Fulham haven't kept a clean sheet in a home Premier League London derby match since beating QPR 6-0 in October 2011 - they've conceded in each of their 14 such matches since.
• There have been four red cards shown in the last four Premier League meetings between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage (2 each).
• Arsenal have won only one of their last eight away London derbies in the Premier League (D2 L5), winning 3-2 at Crystal Palace in December 2017.
• Arsenal have a 51.3% win rate in Premier League London derbies (123/240) - the best in the division. Meanwhile, Fulham have the lowest win rate in these games (20.8% - 25/120).
• Arsenal have won their last two Premier League away games under Unai Emery, the same number they won in their last 12 on the road under Arsene Wenger (W2 D3 L7). They last three in a row in October 2016 (a run of four).

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Merson's prediction

Fulham are a decent side at home so this will be another big test for Arsenal. Fulham have to win their home games because it will be a struggle for them on the road. They'll rely on winning at Craven Cottage to stay in the Premier League. Fulham will have a go against Arsenal, who are also an open, attacking side. I think Arsenal have been a touch fortunate with their results. they've won all these games on the trot but if you break it down they've not really been that impressive. It could've easily gone the other way so Fulham will feel like they've got a chance, but in the end, Unai Emery's side will edge it.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-3 (18/1 with Sky Bet)

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