Fulham boss Chris Coleman is praying Tomasz Radzinski’s run of goals against Arsenal continues today and inspires a shock win.
The former Everton striker has never failed to hit the net against the defending Premiership champions, scoring in his last four games against them.
Radzinski, 30, only returned from international duty with Canada in Costa Rica yesterday but Coleman is relying on his £1.75 summer signing to shoot down the Gunners.
He said: “He will be starting because, looking at the stats, he seems to do very well against Arsenal. He’s just jumped off a plane so we don’t know what shape he will be in, so we’ll have to see what he’s like on Saturday.
“I’m aware of his record against Arsenal and with a bit of luck that will continue. Some players do well against certain teams. He’s very quick in short bursts and he has always scored goals against Arsenal.
“I’ve been playing him on the right as well as up front. I think he’s better up front but some of the times it serves us better to have him on the right. But Arsene Wenger knows exactly what qualities we have got. They have not lost for a long time and I’ve not got any surprises up my sleeve because everyone has tried everything against them so far and it’s still not worked.”
Arsenal will be aiming to extend their record unbeaten run to 45 games and Coleman admits his side – without a win against Wenger’s men in six attempts – will have to show a lot of courage to upset the odds.
He added: “My players will want to be revved up to play against the best club team in Europe as far as I’m concerned and the best Premiership team I’ve seen, probably the best domestic team I’ve seen in my era.
“There’s a possibility it could be us that ends that run. Even if we come off with a draw it will be an achievement. We need a win, though, because we’ve lost our last two games.”
As well as Radzinski’s form against Arsenal, Coleman is hoping he is meeting the Gunners at a good time.
He said: “Maybe it’s a good time to play them, after this international week. They’ve had 15 or 16 players away and I was complaining about not having eight or nine this week.
“My players are human and they will be thinking they are going on to the pitch against a side which has not lost for over a season. We are going to have to show a lot of bottle. They can’t keep winning and they have got to lose to somebody, so why not us. We have to believe that.”
