Nigeria’s Dickson Etuhu has another chance to add to his growing profile at Fulham when his club visit the Emirates Stadium today for a date with Arsenal.
Etuhu played for 90 minutes against Birmingham last Saturday in a lively encounter which ended 1-1 with Clint Dempsey scoring in the 53rd minute to earn a point for Fulham at home.
The club’s poor run this season is a sharp deviation from the impressive run they had last season, when they reached the final of the UEFA Europa League final, before losing to Atletico Madrid.
Fulham’s last victory in the Premier League was on October 3 against Wigan where Dempsey scored twice in the 2-0 win. Etuhu was not in the match but with only two wins in 15 matches, Emirates Stadium is definitely not a place to seek sudden revival.
Not that Fulham have been so bad this season, their major problem is grinding out victory in difficult situation like they failed to do last week. It is also odd that they have lost only four matches this season, like Chelsea, who are second in the table, and Arsenal, who are third in the table. However, the inability to win matches has thrown them to the 17th position, sparking the fear that the last season‘s Europa League finalists may enter the brackets of teams fighting to survive relegation. It may be too early to condemn Fulham but their performance today will definitely play a role in how they will end the season, especially with Wolves and West Ham gradually picking the points to swim to safety.
Arsenal approach the match with good spirit, coming off two important victories over Aston Villa in the Premier League and Wigan in the Carling Cup. It was a swift reaction to the 2-0 embarrassing loss to Braga in the Champions League on November 23 and the 3-2 home defeat in the hands of Tottenham, when Arsenal surrendered two goal lead.
Arsene Wenger has said that he would not be in the market in January to strengthen the team but it is obvious that Arsenal defence, which leaked seven goals in the past four matches, is too fragile to withstand the pressure of strong opponent‘s attack. It is yet to be seen if the return of Thomas Vamaelen from injury will justify the coach’s conclusion.
Arsenal are without captain Cesc Fabregas, Vamaelen, Manuel Almunia, Abou Diaby, and, except he passes a late fitness test, Sebastien Squilacci. But there was good news on Tuesday when Emmanuel Eboue shook off his injury to star in the match against Wigan. He was expected to be out for four weeks but after four days in treatment room, the Ivorian international walked out fit. Robin Van Persie also returned fully in the match and watch adjudged man of the match.
Arsenal have 14-2 advantage over Fulham in the last eighteen league games between the two teams. Fulham last win over Arsenal came in August 2008 at the Craven Cottage. In 47 encounters between the two teams, Arsenal have won 33 matches, losing seven times.
Source:punchng
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