Can Fulham finally win at Arsenal? - Preview - Arsenal (a)

If we weren't away from home, mood would be far more buoyant in the Fulham camp ahead of our tie with Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

As it is, we are level on points with the Gunners and are the third highest scorers in the Premier League so far this season. We've achieved one of the fastest, most purposeful starts to a campaign in our Premier League history and even when things are going against us - say, last weekend - the spirit is still there to grind out a result.

But the Emirates is no stomping ground for Fulham and we can only hope that it will be a different story this time around.

If recent form is anything to judge by, Fulham and Arsenal can consider themselves on similar standing. Aside from their marvelous 7-5 fightback against Reading in the Capital One Cup, they've seen a recent win over Queens Park Rangers, a draw with FC Schalke and a loss to Manchester United.

Fulham, meanwhile, having appeared to have shaken off their old habit of frequently drawing, have returned to their former ways. Two away draws in a row was followed last Saturday by a home draw with Everton.

Last season, in North London, Arsenal snatched a draw thanks to a late Thomas Vermaelen goal while at Craven Cottage, Bobby Zamora scored late on to secure a remarkable home victory.

Fulham, though, despite showing promise last year, have never actually won at Arsenal and the odds will be stacked against them again as away form is a problem that is yet to be truly rectified.

Jack Wilshere will be missing through suspension for Arsenal after his sending off last week while Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both face fitness tests. Vito Mannone is expected to continue in goal as Wojciech Szczesny is still finding full fitness after an ankle complaint.

The only concern for Martin Jol is Mahamadou Diarra, who is rated as having a 50% chance of featuring.

Score prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham