Fulham – Arsenal

The newcomers Fulham host Arsenal at the Craven Cottage in a match from the first round of the English Premier League. It’s the first London derby for the 2020/21 season, so let’s take a look.

After just one season in the Championship, Fulham successfully returned to the Premier League. The manager Scott Parker did a good job – his leadership and management made the Cottagers one of the best teams in the Championship for the last campaign.

Fulham are aware that keeping their place in the Premier League would be difficult. That’s why they made some moves on the transfer market. The club paid 9 million euro to Southampton for the midfielder Harrison Reed while Mario Lemina was signed on loan from the same club. So far Fulham’s most expensive signing is Brighton & Hove Albion’s right winger Anthony Knockaert. The Londoners paid more than 11 million euro for him.

Keeping Fulham in the Premier League is going to be Scott Carson’s biggest challenge in his managerial career so far. It’s up to him and the boys to make this happen.

Arsenal started their 2020/21 season in the best way possible by winning the Community Shield against Liverpool. This was Mikel Arteta’s second trophy since he was appointed manager of the club. The fans are hopeful that Arteta will make the team a serious contender this season.

On the market Arsenal spent more than 25 million euro for the Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes who was signed from Lille. Meanwhile Pablo Mari, Willian and Cedric Soares were also signed by Arteta. Let’s see if they can make the team stronger.

These are the news before the Premier League fixture between Fulham and Arsenal from the first round of the Premier League on Saturday. Even without fans at the stands we shall see some good football between these two teams.