At a Glance:
- Arsenal must win as many games as possible to keep Manchester City at bay in championship fight
- Fulham coach Marco Silva hopes his side can provide a shock
- Two players for Fulham could be essential to a potential upset
Arsenal will play the first of their four final Premier League matches this Saturday against Fulham, and it is vital for the Gunners to pick up as many points as possible to fend off Manchester City for the title.
With injuries to key Arsenal players giving Mikel Arteta a lot to think about, it seems as if Fulham coach Marco Silva wants to capitalise on the North London club’s depleted squad.
Although Arsenal are favourites to win the game, Fulham are battling for a European spot and have caused some upsets this season, most notably against Chelsea and Aston Villa.
READ MORE: Preview: Arsenal vs Fulham – Predictions, team news, confirmed line-ups
Marco Silva says Fulham ‘will fight’ to upset Arsenal’s title chances
Speaking in his Friday press conference, Marco Silva responded to a question over if his side can capitalise on a tense atmosphere at the Emirates thanks to Arsenal’s title hopes.
“Let’s hope we can use that [pressure on Arsenal to our advantage]… that depends on us, it depends on them, and it depends on many things. Whether the environment is tense or not depends on how we play and whether we are good enough to make it happen. Simple as that,” said Silva.
He was complimentary of Mikel Arteta’s men and the way they have played this season too, admitting that “Arsenal are a top side, a side that are title contenders, that play to win all of their games, but are also the most solid team in the league… even if they are not playing at their best level, they have other ways to punish the opposition.”
Silva ended off his response by clarifying that his team will do everything they can to win. “We just have to look at ourselves and be competitive to fight for the three points. Three points to fight for—and we will fight,” said the 48-year-old.
| Rank | Team | Pts | Pld | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 73 | 34 | +38 |
| 2 | Man City | 70 | 33 | +37 |
With only a three-point gap between Arsenal and rivals Manchester City, with the Mancunians having a game in hand, it is imperative that the Gunners get the better of their London opponents on Saturday.
For Fulham, three points could see them get even closer to a chance at Europe. If any of Brighton, Bournemouth, Chelsea, or Brentford drop points and Fulham win, a chance at the Europa League or Conference League could be on for the Cottagers.
Fulham have two players that could be huge in upsetting Arsenal
Both Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez could make or break Fulham’s chances at securing three points at the Emirates, despite the fact neither have any goal contributions in their past five games.
Wilson has ten goals and six assists in 32 Premier League appearances, while Mexican veteran Jimenez has nine goals and three assists in one more game than Wilson.
