Liverpool needs a maximum of 16 points to be confirmed as the Premier League champion this season. But that total will be less if Arsenal doesn’t win every game from here on in.
Mikel Arteta’s side, like Arne Slot’s, was not in action over the weekend because of the FA Cup fixtures. Today, it returns with a home game against Marco Silva’s Fulham at the Emirates Stadium.
And with Liverpool not playing until tomorrow’s Merseyside derby against Everton, the Gunners will have the chance to cut the gap at the top of the standings to nine points if they can win. Fulham, though, will not be an easy opponent.
The match will start at 7.45pm UK time (2.45pm ET) and in the UK, it has not been picked for live TV. In the US, fans will be able to watch along and stream via Peacock.
Arsenal is set to welcome Bukayo Saka back from a hamstring injury while Jurrien Timber has been ill but is likely to be given the green light. Raheem Sterling was unable to play against Chelsea because he is on loan from the Stamford Bridge side but will be available again for this one.
Arteta did confirm a new injury blow ahead of his team’s return, though. Riccardo Calafiori picked up a knee issue while away with the Italian national team. “It was really unfortunate how that injury happened, but it could have been much worse,” Arteta said. “So, hopefully, it’s going to be a matter of weeks. But we have to see how the injury evolves.”
Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus are already sidelined through various issues. That makes the return of Saka even more important with Arsenal desperately needing some more attacking firepower.
“Bukayo is ready to go,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. “All the careful things he’s already done, so now it’s about putting him on the grass in the right moments.
“He’s pushing because he really wants it. We have respect the timeframe, but we have done everything and we have had to hold him back even, so he’s ready to go.
“It’s another massive weapon that we have. We know the impact that he’s had on the team and how important his role and his contribution is to our success, so great to have him back.”
