I guess no one wants to talk about Saturday’s trip to the Emirates

Fulham head to north London to face Arsenal this weekend at 1000 EDT. The match will be on the USA Network.

Considering Arsenal’s run at the title last season and Fulham’s first two matches this season… it’s no surprise that I’m just starting this thread now (38 hours before kickoff). Fulham just lost their best player from the last five years and have been very suspect at the back. My only hope is that Palhinha is fit and can go 90. That should stunt the flow of attacks and potentially keep the game relatively close.

I expect Raul to start up top and I’d like to see some shift in strategy to feed him better. He’s not the aerial threat that Mitro has been so the team must adapt. Fulham also need to be more direct when attacking; they won’t be able to play and build out from the back with much frequency.

I’m not expecting a result, but maybe they’ll shock everyone.

 

Hoping we don't get embarrassed. I'm okay with anything else.

 

I want to talk about it!

Yes, Fulham has the record for the most away appearances (30) at a single club (Arsenal) without a win. But, last August Fulham was the first team to get a lead against Arsenal (let's not talk about who scored for Fulham) and only a late Gabriel goal got the Gunners a win. Arsenal haven't looked as dominant so far this season so I think Fulham can hang with them if two things happen:
1) Diop keeps his head on straight
2) Bassey doesn't do too much trying to prove something

Then maybe Arsenal scores an own goal and Fulham wins!

Of course, if Arsenal scores it feels like it is all over since Fulham has been incapable of scoring without Mitrovic. Willian is questionable so that leaves Fulham without a natural left winger if he can't go, so that won't help things either. If Fulham does score I expect it to be from a set piece - Pereira to Bassey's head.

 

Ostrich here!
Arsenal may have been sleepwalking a bit to start the campaign...so here's to their continued slumber on Saturday. Still, however mediocre the Gunners start may be perceived, it makes Fulham's initial forays appear comatose.
COYW

 

I wonder if we'll have to pull Knockaert and Kongolo out of cold storage. Both were at the photo session in the new kit. Kongolo helped a strong Le Havre team get promoted and even though he did het hurt in April, he did come back into the team (bench) for the second-to-last game of the season--he may just be in playing shape even if his legs are held together with duct tape. Knockaert; nothing good to say about his two loans over the past year.

Probably not, though I do feel for Kongolo. I'd rather see academy kids get opportunities.

 

I don't have USA and I didn't want to go somewhere to watch us get thumped. I guess I made the wrong decision.

 

Damn near want to @jumpkutz ask James to cue it, because I’ll remember this point for a long time. Almost lost it when Traore nearly scored late in stoppage! Proud to be a Fulham supporter today!!

PS. Tony, now go and help the gaffer and the lads out!!!

 

I know I should be happy about a point from Arsenal away, and I am, but keep thinking that we could have won. Especially if the foul on Bassey in the lead up to their second goal had been called. Bassey was very good--we have a solid CB in him--but the yellows were deserved, and now Marco no longer has a difficult decision to make between him and Ream against Tottenham on Tuesday. I was surprised to see Tosin; he may be a Spurs player by the time we play them. Bassey's red card suspension will be served in the cup, and his athleticism could be useful at Etihad next Saturday. Palhinha was my MOTM again.

In other news, Stansfield apparently scored a match-winning golazo coming in from the bench for Birmingham. Happy to see him take advantage of the opportunity.

 

It may have been a blessing that I couldn't watch this one on USA - I might have gotten sick from the nervous tension because just watching the highlights gave me the shakes! I'm so proud of the team still fighting despite the odds being stacked against them. If any point was deserving of a dancing banana it was this one.

I almost mentioned this in my pre-match comments, but I had noticed Arsenal in other matches grabbing the ball before the whistle was blown. It seemed very intentional (one of the reasons I don't like Arteta) to force the ref to decide in their favor. I was thrilled to see they got called on it in this match, I just wish Traore could have made them pay with a ball in the back of the net.

Bassey did too much and Fulham still got the point! Glad I was wrong about that.

Remember how much we liked the Fulham squad last season? Well those guys got zero points against the top four - Citeh, Arsenal, Man. U., Newcastle. I don't know if Arsenal is still top-4 quality, but credit to the current squad for accomplishing something that was out of reach last season.

Highlights if you want to re-live the magic: