Match Preview
Arsenal v Fulham
Premier League Match Day 21 1819 at Emirates Stadium
Tuesday 1st January 2019 KO: 15:00
Referee:
Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)
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Arsenal suffered a chastening defeat at Anfield last Saturday when a Roberto Firmino hat-trick inspired Liverpool to a 5-1 win.
The Gunners had gone on a 22-match unbeaten streak just less than a month ago before losing to Southampton.
That run seems like a distant memory and Arsenal will be keen to put behind their result at Anfield when they face the worst defense in the League.
Fulham will be the unfortunate visitors that could face the wrath of Unai Emery’s Arsenal.
Ironically, the Cottagers come into this game on the back of a three-match unbeaten streak. (W1 D2).
Saturday’s massive win over fellow relegation rivals Huddersfield was just their third Premier League win of the season.
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Arsenal have never lost at home to Fulham in any competition spanning 114 years (W23, D5).
- But Fulham did win 1-0 on the only previous occasion that the teams have met on New Year's Day, in 1966 at Craven Cottage.
- The Gunners thrashed Fulham 5-1 when the sides met at Craven Cottage in October.
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Fulham's win on Saturday was just their second in their last 17 Premier League matches (D5, L10).
- They are the only Premier League side yet to win away from home in the league this season; they have picked up just two points from 10 away games.
- Fulham have scored just one goal in their last five away matches - and that was a penalty.
- They and Manchester United have kept a Premier League-low two clean sheets this season.
- Fulham have lost all five of their Premier League London derbies so far this season.
- Manager Claudio Ranieri has never won a Premier League match against Arsenal in 10 previous attempts (D4, L6).
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Arsenal have won their last three home games in the Premier League.
- Their only home defeat in the 2018-19 Premier League campaign so far came on the opening day of the season, when they lost 2-0 to Manchester City.
- Arsenal have scored more than one goal in nine of their last 10 Premier League London derbies, but have failed to keep a clean sheet in all 10 of those matches.
- The Gunners have won their last 28 home league games against sides starting the day in the relegation zone, a run stretching back to October 2008.
- They conceded 14 league goals during December 2018 - their most in a calendar month since April 1979 when they conceded 15.