Fulham (h) Match Thoughts & Predictions: Arshavin & Van Persie will be too much for distracted Fulham

So, the final match preview of the 2009/2010 season. It certainly hasn't ended how I hoped it would. Instead of fighting with Chelsea and the Mancs on the last day of the season for the title, we are looking anxiously behind us at our neighbours who are banging on the door trying to invade our third spot.

I expect Tottenham to beat Burnley later this afternoon, they have the bit between the teeth (whatever the bit actually is) and they know that only victory will get them a chance of third spot. Luckily for Arsenal we are playing a side at home who will have an eye on the Europa league final so I would be more than amazed if Roy Hodgson decides to play his strongest team this afternoon. He will rest some players, especially after his first team has already played in midweek against Stoke City.

The Arsenal players have all switched off their engines since the defeat at White Hart Lane but hopefully the players now have something to rev those engines back up again. The Emirates crowd will feel like they are owed a big performance from the players and if the players cannot get up for this game then they never will.

Our recent bad run has mainly come away from the Emirates, so I expect the team to ease the fears pretty early on. I have a feeling that we will fly out of the traps and push Fulham back from the very first whistle.

Taking our chances will be so important in the early stages and with our front three likely to be Van Persie, Walcott and Arshavin I expect them to have the required quality to settle us down with an early goal, or at least a goal in the first 45 minutes.

Robin Van Persie has managed to get off the mark again after his far post header at Blackburn last weekend so hopefully he can be back amongst the goals in our final game of the season.

One to watch: Andrey Arshavin

If I could sum up Arshavin's season in one word then it would be lazy inconsistency. He has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the campaign. His strikes at Old Trafford and Anfield as well as his assist against Porto at the Emirates stand out but those incidences have been few and far between. I pick out Arshavin today because his recent injury lay off would have allowed him time to rest his legs and his mind. I would like to see a huge effort from this very talented individual.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean's Match Prediction

We should have too much for Fulham and I hope the boys can put on a performance for the fans. Mikel Silvestre will be waving goodbye at the final whistle, it will be interesting to see who else is there for the end of season lap of erm.. appreciation. Will Gallas be there? will any other players give an indication about their future?

Whatever happens, I just want the side to be able to say goodbye for another year with a victory and third place firmly secured.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.

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Comments

#1 - Squid Boy Says:

Wish i shared your confidence ML!

Today will be a test of nerve. Will the keeper stay strong? Will the defence avoid any stupid errors? Will the midfield show authority? And will the strikers take their chances?

I reckon Spurs may grab an early goal in their game seeing as their tails are up. No doubt this will make the crowd nervous and this could transmit to the players. So we need to come out of the blocks flying, hopefully grab an early goal ourselves, and then no resting on our laurels.

#2 - Judith Le'Strange Says:

I would love us to beat Fulham and at the same time keep a clean sheet, is that too much to hope for! But it would be even better if Burnley could do us a favour and beat Spurs. Anyway let's hope we can keep third place and finish in style and hopefully in the closed season we can get a few new players in i.e. a goalie for one is I think a priority. So come on you Gunners, do us all a favour and score and please try to keep a clean sheet.

#3 - Iron Man Says:

I'm far from confident. I don't think it's unfair to say that I don't have much faith in the lads right about now. Fulham at home would usually hold no fear but niether would Wigan away, Wolves at home or Birmingham away.

Early goal is important because it won't take much for a nervous crowd to start getting on the backs of the players as Squidy says.

Whatever happens, bring on 6pm. I can't wait for this season to be over.

#4 - Anonymous Says:

fabianski-sagna-djourou-campbell-gibbs
JET-Diaby-Nasri
Theo-RVP-Arsh

not gonna happen... but i hope it does

#5 - sammy Says:

I wish ARSENALall the best when playing with FULHAM today.

#6 - .com Says:

wish u luck arsenal, but pls arsen u must make a change at the back next season i mean buy new center back to pair with vermaelen. i really hate seeing silvester playing at arsenal next season................

#7 - Dr_Abd_Afeez Says:

I wish us best of luck up gunnerz,arsenal 4 fulham 1.

#8 - Dr_Abd_Afeez Says:

I want laugh buh i cnt,stupid spud n crouch says they want defrog us frm third buh burnley tear them apart wht a rush?to hell wiv all mouthwaterin spud fanz in da world up gunnerz.

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