17 October 2025
Be part of an interesting London Derby as Fulham welcomes Arsenal to Craven Cottage on 18 October 2025 for an interesting matchday. Both sides come into the game with contrasting ambitions. Arsenal are chasing the league leaders in a tight title race, while Fulham hope to steady their season with a positive result against one of the Premier League’s elite.
Arsenal have enjoyed an impressive run of form, showcasing both tactical maturity and attacking flair. Their defensive discipline has been a standout feature, with consistent performances from William Saliba and Ben White forming the backbone of Mikel Arteta’s team.
However, the Gunners have suffered a blow with the injury of captain Martin Ødegaard, who is expected to miss several weeks due to a knee problem. His absence removes a vital creative spark in midfield, forcing Arteta to rely more on collective buildup and transitional play from other midfielders such as Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze.
With rivals breathing down their necks in the top-four battle, Arsenal will have to win this away fixture to maintain their rhythm and confidence.
Fulham’s campaign has been inconsistent, marked by promising moments offset by defensive lapses. Their home performances have been spirited, but on the road, they have struggled to maintain structure against high-pressing teams.
Manager Marco Silva will be hoping that the home advantage will help, especially after back-to-back defeats that exposed vulnerabilities in Fulham’s defensive setup. While they’ve had trouble keeping clean sheets, the likes of Andreas Pereira and Raúl Jiménez remain capable of producing key moments on the counterattack.
A positive result at home would be a massive confidence boost and could help Fulham push toward mid-table safety.
Arsenal will aim to dominate possession and stretch the field through overlapping full-backs and dynamic movement between their forwards. The absence of Ødegaard might lead to a slightly more direct approach, with emphasis on wide play and late midfield runs. Arteta’s men will likely employ high pressing to recover the ball quickly and sustain pressure inside Fulham’s half.
Fulham, in contrast, are expected to sit deep and absorb pressure. Their tactical plan will focus on defending in two tight banks of four or five, then breaking quickly through their wingers. Silva will likely instruct his players to exploit any spaces left behind Arsenal’s high defensive line, particularly in transitions.
Leno vs Arsenal’s attack – the former Gunner will need to be at his best to deny his old team.
Despite Fulham’s fighting spirit and having a home advantage, Arsenal’s superior quality, tactical control, and home advantage make them overwhelming favourites. The Gunners are expected to dominate from start to finish, even without Ødegaard’s influence.
Predicted Score: Arsenal 2–0 Fulham
Arsenal should claim all three points with a controlled performance, keeping pressure on the league leaders and maintaining their strong form heading into late October.
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