I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to the trip to the Emirates this afternoon – but Saturdays with Fulham in action are always far more preferable than those without. To kick off this morning’s matchday thread, I’m choosing to take the positives. Dan has already told you how the Whites did once win at Highbury, so the oft-quoted stat about Fulham never winning at Arsenal is wrong. Our league record away at the Gunners is dreadful but there have been some wonderful moments.
Martin Jol’s side came back from the dead to grab a share of the spoils at the Emirates in 2012 – thanks to a magnificent stoppage-time penalty save that saw Mark Schwarzer deny a certain Mikel Arteta. The highlights of that breathless afternoon are well worth a look:
Then there was Edwin van der Sar’s peerless performance at Highbury in November 2003. We wish our Dutch legend well in his remarkable recovery from his illness and hope that Bernd Leno, a former Arsenal goalkeeper, will be as exemplary again during his return to his old stomping ground. Watch all of Edwin’s saves below:
We can’t miss an opportunity to remember the brilliance of Junichi Inamoto, never really given an opportunity by Arsene Wenger. The Japanese midfielder memorably helped us win it one time as well as scoring in a famous win at Old Trafford.
Roy Hodgson’s side got a goalless draw in 2009 on the way to the Whites’ highest-ever league finish, but otherwise the stats make grim reading:
- Fulham haven’t won in 31 league or Cup visits to Arsenal – the worst competitive record in a fixture between two professional sides in English football.
- The Whites have only managed six draws.
- Fulham haven’t any of their last ten games against Arsenal – dating to 2012, when Steve Sidwell and Bobby Zamora secured a come from behind win at Craven Cottage. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in sixteen meetings.
- Fulham have won only one of their last nineteen top-flight London derbies.
- Marco Silva’s men took just one point against the top five last term – losing all five away fixtures by a single goal.
- Centre forward Raul Jimenez hasn’t scored in 25 Premier League outings.
- But the Whites could win their first two away top flight games in a season for the first time ever – at the 29th time of asking.
If you’re looking for some pre-match reading, try these:
- Our preview of the action.
- Dan’s historical look at when the Whites did win at Highbury.
- Marco’s frustration at the slowness of Fulham’s transfer business
- Catch up on an outstanding under-21s display at Fratton Park in midweek.
If you’d rather listen to something, you can catch up with the Green Pole, featuring Alan and Dan, from Thursday.
Don’t forget to:
- Get your predictions in before kick off
- Join our FPL league.
- Leave your comments before, during and after the game.
About to head up to North London. More hope than expectation. Thanks Chlo for getting the ball rolling!
I’m going to isolate myself from all football from 13.00hrs to 17.00hrs, then switch on the Fulham App (with fingers crossed) for the final score. I don’t think that I can’t take the agony listening to those pundits’ updates, drooling over Arsenal and undermining little old Fulham.
Wow, my tactics worked. Very unexpected result, but who cares.
We must keep Palhinha at all costs.
A spirited performance and some luck and we got ourselves a great away point. Pahlinha must be kept at all costs, he should be wearing the armband. Ream’s place should be on the sideline screaming instructions to the defence. This week the Khans will give us two top quality signings and we will be fine. COYW