Darren Bent’s record against Arsenal could save him from Rene Meulensteen’s latest reshuffle on Saturday.
The Fulham manager admits he still getting to grips with his squad 10 games after succeeding Martin Jol.
Meulensteen struck gold when he restored Bent to the side against Norwich last week as the striker scored in a 3-0 win, and it is not lost on the Dutchman that Bent has eight goals in his last 10 games against Arsenal.
“Darren has still got that in him,” he said. “It is that little game you play with a deck of cards – when is it best to play him?
“There is a validity in it, because certain players do always score in certain places and against certain teams.
“You look at it and you try to play the best hand in different situations and that is what I have done – I made nine changes against Norwich.
“You are still trying to get to the situation where you say ‘now I know which cards suit best’.”
Arsenal’s form this season has impressed Meulensteen, but he goes to the Emirates confident he knows the leaders inside out.
He said: “Arsenal have got a very good chance compared to the previous seasons, but Arsenal have got no secrets and they have had no secrets for the last eight years.
“They play as they play – they won’t change. That is the way they are.”
