By Geoff Pruce

Arsenal v Fulham | Saturday 26th August | 3pm | Emirates Stadium | #ARSFUL

The opposition

  • It’s been a 100 per cent start to the campaign for Arsenal as they look to challenge for the Premier League title once again, though each of their games have been hard fought affairs.
  • After holding off the late threat of a Nottingham Forest fightback to win 2-1 on opening day, they needed a Martin Ødegaard penalty to separate themselves from Crystal Palace on Monday night.
  • The Gunners have shown their ambition in the transfer market this summer, spending more than £200m to bring Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber to North London.
Declan Rice impressed against Crystal Palace

Arsenal team news

Mikel Arteta will have Gabriel Jesus available for the first time this season, after the striker returned to full training this week having recovered from a knee injury. Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off at Palace so sits out, but his left-back spot could be taken by the fit again Oleksandr Zinchenko. Midfielder Mohamed Elneny is a long-term absentee, and he’ll been joined in the treatment room for the foreseeable future by new signing Timber who suffered an ACL injury on his Premier League debut.

Fulham team news

Tim Ream will serve a one-game ban, while an Achilles issue has put a question mark over Willian’s involvement.

Tim Ream walks off the pitch after being sent off

Tickets

Fulham took the maximum allocation available to us at the Emirates, which promptly sold out, meaning there will be more than 3,000 away fans backing the boys in North London.

Weather

There is a chance of some light rain when we kick-off on Saturday, but temperatures will remain around 21 degrees.

Bag policy

Fans are advised that Arsenal do not permit entry of any bags larger than A4, and that there are no left luggage facilities available.

Player insight

Kenny Tete knows the size of the task ahead of Fulham, but is still looking forward to testing himself against the Gunners.

“I think they’ve had some great signings,” he said. “They are stronger than last year, but we’re looking forward to playing against them.

“While we’ve analysed our last game, we’ve also done our analysis on them. First of all, we have to focus on us, make sure we’re in the right shape.

“It’s a game of football so it can go both ways.”

Coverage

FFCtv subscribers will be able to listen to live commentary of the game from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid.

Top scorers

Arsenal: Eddie Nketiah, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka (1)

Fulham: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (1)

Form

Arsenal: D*WW

*Won on penalties

Fulham: WL