Chris Coleman knows all good things must come to an end – and sees no reason why Fulham cannot be the side to break Arsenal’s unbeaten run.
With the Barclaycard Premiership title already in the bag, Arsene Wenger’s attentions have now turned to making it through all 38 games without defeat.
The Gunners, though, have not been at their free-flowing best recently, and have ground out draws in both matches since securing the championship at White Hart Lane on April 25.
Coleman’s men held Arsenal to a goalless draw at Highbury back in November, and the former Welsh defender sees no reason why they cannot go one better at Loftus Road on Sunday.
“They are not going to go on forever, winning every game or drawing. They have got to lose sometime,” he said.
“It won’t be easy, but we are capable of doing it.
“We came away from their place with a 0-0, so who knows?
“I think in the last few games they have not been firing on all cylinders, which is maybe understandable because they have already won the championship.
“They have had a magnificent season, they are a great team – but sooner or later someone has got to beat them, so why not us?”
Even if Arsenal are winding down after what has been, domestically at least, a brilliant campaign, the prospect of taking on Thierry Henry and company remains a daunting one.
For Coleman and his squad, though, there is more than just bragging rights at stake on Sunday.
Few expected Fulham to be contesting at the business end of the table this season when former Wales centre-back Coleman was handed the manager’s job full-time in the summer.
At 33, he is the youngest boss in the top flight and has done a remarkable job in management after a car crash broke his leg and finished his playing career.
Fulham recorded a famous 3-1 win at Old Trafford in October to signal their intentions and Coleman has since pushed his side to the brink of UEFA Cup qualification.
Another unlikely triumph on Sunday would give Fulham the perfect end to what has been as good a campaign as they could have hoped for.
“Not only will it be three points if we win, we will be the first team this season to have beaten Arsenal, the champions, so there is a lot on the game,” reflected Coleman.
“In a way, the three points are more important to us because we still have an outside chance of finishing in the top six, although it is going to be difficult.
“It is going to be the last home game at Loftus Road, the last one of the season and on the back of what has been a good season. It is a good carrot for us.”
