'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal travel to Craven Cottage on Sunday in an early lunchtime kick-off to take on Fulham in a London derby. The last time The Gunners played a London derby this season was a 3-2 loss at Stamford Bridge.
They will hope to turn that around following their impressive run of results since that defeat at Stamford Bridge, making it eight wins out of eight matches in all competitions.
However, The Gunners have to be wary of certain things going into the game. Fulham will be desperate for a win, especially as they are 17th on the log, and secondly, this is a London derby and promises to be an entertaining contest.
There are a number of things The Gunners must do if they hope to stretch their winning streak up to nine matches in all competitions.
#1 The trio of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Andre Schurrle, and Jean Micheal Seri must be kept quiet
On his day, Mitrovic is a difficult player to handle. One of his strengths is his aerial prowess, considering his height. He is also a natural finisher who scores goals if given a sniff at goal. Little wonder he is Fulham's top scorer this season, and among the top PL goal scorers already this season with five goals in seven appearances, just behind Chelsea's Eden Hazard.
The likes of Sokratis and Mustafi will have to be wary of his movement within the 18-yard box, as well as stick to him during dead-ball situations.
Andre Schurrle is not new to the Premier League, the German was once in Chelsea's colours, and was even on the score-sheet in that 6-0 thumping of Arsenal at Stamford Bridge during Arsene Wenger's 1000th game in charge of Arsenal.
He is a player who is very direct, as well as deceptively quick, and must not be given any space to shoot when in the final third.
Jean Michael Seri has been quite impressive for The Cottagers. His ability to join the attack and defend when it is appropriate has really served the Londoners well this season. Although results have not gone their way lately, that is not the fault of the Ivorian. Arsenal will have to stop him in his tracks if he tries one of his mazy runs into the box.
#2 Arsenal must start the game on the front foot
In previous games this season, The Gunners have been guilty of starting somewhat slowly, and giving the opposition the initiative to dictate the pace of the game.
In the game against Watford, The Hornets were the better side in the first half at the Emirates, and The Gunners could easily have been behind, but that didn't happen, all thanks to the heroics of their two goalkeepers - Petr Cech and Bernd Leno.
#3 Arsenal must attack Fulham from the wings with pace
Arsenal must exploit the pace of Lacazette and Aubameyang to punish Fulham. Everton defeated Fulham 3-0 at Goodison Park last weekend, and this was largely due to the pace of former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, and Calvert-Lewin. They caused Fulham a whole lot of problems.
Arsenal must be ready to press them, as they play with freedom, especially when they are at Craven Cottage.
However, in a major boost for The Gunners, defenders Joe Bryan and Timothy Fosu-Mensah have been ruled out of Sunday's clash against Arsenal. That could provide more impetus for Arsenal to clinch their ninth win in all competitions before the international break.
