Fulham will look to defy almost 110 years of history when they visit Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.
The two London clubs first met in an FA Cup tie in 1904, when Arsenal's 3-2 victory set the tone for future meetings. In the 26 fixtures at Arsenal since then, Fulham have never won, suffering 21 defeats along the way.
The task awaiting the west London team this weekend is no less daunting than usual, with Arsene Wenger's side sitting top of the Barclays Premier League, unbeaten at home in the league since the opening day. Defensive solidity has been a hallmark of Arsenal's success at the Emirates Stadium this term, with just six goals conceded in 10 Barclays Premier League matches.
Fulham let in six in their last away league match, when they were beaten at Hull City, although the Barlcays Premier League win over West Ham United and FA Cup triumph versus Norwich City have since lifted the spirits of Rene Meulensteen's men, who head across the capital one point and two places above the relegation zone.
The Dutch coach was boosted by the long-awaited return of defender Brede Hangeland in Tuesday's 3-0 FA Cup third-round replay win over Norwich. The Norway defender had been out since October with a sciatic nerve problem, but helped the side to a first clean sheet in eight matches.
Meulensteen, who said Fernando Amorebieta is a doubt with knee problems, knows that his side face a test.
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for Arsenal as a club,” he told the club website. “It’s a fantastic club with the way they want to play football.
“They’re players that play. They won’t change, that’s what they are. You know what you’re going to be up against – you’re going to be up against a very good football team with some very good individuals.”
Arsenal have had injury problems to contend with, too, and Theo Walcott, who has had surgery on his anterior cruciate knee ligament, will not play again this season. Walcott joins Mikel Arteta (calf), Nicklas Bendtner (ankle), Aaron Ramsey (thigh) and Thomas Vermaelen on the sidelines. Midfielder Tomas Rosicky had an operation on his broken nose and may play with the aid of a mask, while Nacho Monreal (foot) is, in the words of Wenger, "a big doubt".
Arsenal were 3-1 winners at Craven Cottage in August and this will be their 200th London derby in the Barclays Premier League.
Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Szczesny, Martinez, Viviano, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Sagna, Flamini, Cazorla, Diaby, Eisfeld, Flamini, Frimpong, Gnabry, Miyaichi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Rosicky, Wilshere, Yennaris, Zelalem, Bendtner, Giroud, Park, Podolski.
Fulham (from): Etheridge, Stekelenburg, Stockdale, Amorebieta, Hangeland, Hughes, Riether, Riise, Senderos, Boateng, Dejagah, Duff, Frei, Kacaniklic, Karagounis, Kasami, Parker, Richardson, Sidwell, Taarabt, Zverotic, Bent, Berbatov, Rodallega, Ruiz.
Match Appointments
Referee: Lee Probert. Assistants: S Beck, A Holmes. Fourth Official: L Mason.