Arsenal v Fulham
Much has been written about how Arsenal have lost their way in recent weeks but they have not suddenly become a bad side. They let a 2-0 lead slip against Schalke in the Champions League on Tuesday night but a draw was still a decent result.
The Gunners' problem is what they are like on a bad day, which they undoubtedly had in last weekend's defeat at Old Trafford.
They looked rudderless against Manchester United, with nobody to really grab hold of the team and make them play.
There is a lot of pressure on Jack Wilshere to do that job even though he has barely played for 17 months. Wilshere is being seen as a saviour for the Gunners and for England when, if anything, he needs nursing back into games.
Arsenal cannot rely on him against Fulham because he is suspended after his red card against United.
I don't think it will matter, though. United were good enough to capitalise on Arsenal's weaknesses but, especially away from home, I don't think the Cottagers will be.
Fulham are level on points with Arsenal but their home form is the main reason for that. Martin Jol is a very good manager but he cannot quite get the balance of his side right when they are away. Consequently, they always seem to be under pressure.
Jol has put together a team containing plenty of good seasoned professionals and a couple of outstanding players. They are eighth at the moment and in good shape for a top 10 finish, which would be a marvellous achievement.
Signing Dimitar Berbatov was undoubtedly a masterstroke by Jol, especially when you consider he could have gone to Juventus or Fiorentina instead.
But, even with Berbatov in the sort of form he is in, I cannot see past an Arsenal win here.
They are going through a spell where people are starting to question Arsene Wenger again but I think they will respond by starting to pick up some points.
Prediction: 2-0
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Originally Posted by milla
