After a creditable draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, Arsenal's focus shifts back to the Premier League on Saturday. They welcome Fulham to Emirates Stadium (17:30 BST) in another vital game in the race for the title.
Eze easing the pressure on Arsenal
Victory would give the Gunners a six-point lead at the top over Manchester City, who face Everton on Monday in one of what will then be two games in hand.
As for Fulham, they gave their hopes of earning a European spot a jolt with a big win over Aston Villa last weekend. The victory lifted them into the top half and Marco Silva’s side go into the weekend just two points behind Brighton in sixth.
After a draining fixture in Madrid, Mikel Arteta will surely need to utilise his squad depth when Fulham visit. Overall, he has managed his options well this season and the 22 goal contributions from substitutes in the Premier League this term is a division high.
If fatigue is a factor, the Gunners can always rely on their set-piece trump card. They have shown versatility in the way in which they can attack teams from dead-ball situations too, with last weekend's routine flummoxing Newcastle and ending in a fine goal for Eberechi Eze.
It was a strike that took Arsenal to a Premier League record of 17 goals from corners in one season. Over the past three campaigns, they have scored a remarkable 47 times from corner situations.
In Eze, the Gunners also have a player who tends to save his best form for the final weeks of the season. Across his Premier League career at Crystal Palace and now Arsenal, he has thrived from March onwards in comparison with other parts of the calendar.
Full tilt for Fulham
After stuttering over the last couple of months, Fulham secured a morale-boosting win over Aston Villa last weekend to keep alive their European hopes.
Having struggled against sides in the top eight – with just one win in eight games prior to that victory – Silva will hope his team can take confidence from the result.
It will also give Fulham supporters hope that the team can avoid another late-season collapse. In two of the three years since returning to the Premier League, they have dropped off significantly in the final two months. The signs have been better as of late.
While Arsenal will have to overcome some physical hurdles after their semi-final first leg in midweek, Fulham face mental obstacles of their own – namely, their poor record away at the Gunners.
Fulham have never won at Arsenal in 32 away league games, losing 25 and drawing seven. That is the most matches one side has faced another without ever securing a victory in English football history.
