The Short Fuse - Fulham vs. Arsenal: to the painit me, Jeffhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51365/tsf-fav.png2013-04-23T11:40:12-04:00http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/rss/stream/40053312013-04-23T11:40:12-04:002013-04-23T11:40:12-04:00Giroud Ruled to Sit for Three Matches
<figure>
<img alt="Not a red card" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/56oqN6HQxcYnWJu1cudXTZEKpdg=/0x605:2652x2373/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12005345/166500631.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Not a red card | Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While not totally unexpected, the FA upholds Olivier Giroud's red card from the match at Craven Cottage and his subsequent three-match ban</p> <p>While <span>Arsene Wenger</span> said, in the immediate aftermath of the match last Saturday versus <a href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fulham</a>, that he thought Giroud's tackle was a warranted red card, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theshortfuse.com/2013/4/22/4252156/arsenal-giroud-red-card-appeal-fulham">an appeal was launched with the FA yesterday</a>, presumably after seeing the tackle over and judging it to be more a work of clumsiness and bad luck on Giroud's part.</p>
<p>However, it didn't take long for the governing body of the sport to come back with a resounding "Thanks for playing, but no"; <a href="http://www.thefa.com/News/governance/2013/apr/olivier-giroud-fulham-arsenal-wrongful-dismissal-claim-dismissed.aspx" target="_blank">Giroud's three-match ban due to the red card was upheld</a>, meaning he will miss the <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester United</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/queens-park-rangers" class="sbn-auto-link">Queens Park Rangers</a> and Wigan matches and be eligible for the season-ending match away at <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Newcastle</a>.</p>
<p>Arsene Wenger now must decide who to slot in at center forward in these very crucial matches ahead. If he opts to go with <span>Theo Walcott</span>, then he can start <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> on the right with <span>Lukas Podolski</span> on the left and move <span>Santi Cazorla</span> to the middle (if <span>Jack Wilshere's</span> still not 100%). Or he can move Cazorla to the left and start <span>Tomas Rosicky</span>, who's been on great run of matches as of late but missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury; Rosicky's status for United has yet to be determined, so I'm holding out some sort of hope he's fine and available. He could also play Cazorla on the right with Podolski on the left and Rosicky/Wilshere in the middle. Wenger could also decide to keep Walcott on the right, which should then move Podolski to the center and Cazorla to the left.</p>
<p>In any case, the point of this being that Wenger has options due to both a deep squad and a general lack of injuries afflicting the squad, at least in comparison to previous, recent seasons. How he decides to field his squad for this Sunday will, no doubt, be a talking point the rest of the week.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2013/4/23/4257004/olivier-girouds-red-card-upheld-by-faTravis King2013-04-22T10:38:06-04:002013-04-22T10:38:06-04:00Arsenal to appeal Giroud ban
<figure>
<img alt="this is super dumb" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5F4COHBxLWkvGpxBLEh3sADp1eM=/270x50:3815x2413/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11940371/167098997.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>this is super dumb | Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The striker was sent off for a clumsy foul late in Arsenal's 1-0 win at Fulham, but the club will attempt to have his suspension reduced.</p> <p>After some question about whether they would, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> have decided to appeal <span>Olivier Giroud's</span> late red card in their 1-0 victory at Fulham last Saturday. As things stand, he's in for a three-match suspension, which would keep him out of games against Manchester United, QPR, and Wigan.</p>
<p>Giroud was sent off for a pretty dumb foul - he was going for the ball at the same time as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham's</a> Stanislav Manolev, but somehow missed it altogether, and ended up half-stepping on it, half-tripping Manolev. It was a horrible (in terms of quality) tackle, but honestly not nearly as violent as the foul for which <span>Steve Sidwell</span> was sent off earlier in the match (which, by the way, I'm also not certain should have been a red card, but this post is about Giroud).</p>
<p>Here's a GIF of the tackle, via <a href="http://arsenalist.com/2013/04/20/arsenal-vs-fulham-highlights-6/" target="_blank">Arsenalist</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1568259/iUwk1BLKXh2Cy.gif"><img alt="Iuwk1blkxh2cy_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1568259/iUwk1BLKXh2Cy_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p>It's certainly a booking to me, mostly because What An Idiot, but is this really worth a three-game ban? For me, it's not. But I suppose we'll see whether the people in charge of things agree. A ruling of the appeal as frivolous is unlikely, so really it's between a reduction of the ban, or the ban being upheld. With the homestretch of the season looming, it would really be ideal to have all hands on deck.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2013/4/22/4252156/arsenal-giroud-red-card-appeal-fulhamThomas Wachtel2013-04-22T10:29:44-04:002013-04-22T10:29:44-04:00Fulham v. Arsenal: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GL-uDTNa88gQh5mPyhUUsLMbdcY=/0x129:3152x2230/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11939811/167099033.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Three points is three points and there's not too many who'd ever pass up a victory, no matter how it's earned. It's our job to weigh out what was yay fantastic, what was meh indifferent and what was utter Luis Suarez in Saturday's victory at Craven Cottage</p> <p>A side note: yesterday kinda sucked, right?</p>
<p>I was on the way to get my oil changed in my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4" target="_blank">swagger wagon</a> when I took a peek in on scores and saw City up one. Hooray, right? I was high-fiving myself in the driver's seat and acting hard and tough by pretending to be up in someone's face while swearing things like "Boy, stop! Don't even come up in this bitch, yo!" I was elated; <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal's</a> path to a top-four finish was getting easier as the minutes ticked away at White Hart Lane. By the time the greasy, up-selling mechanic was finished, so was City. Three goals in quick succession basically ruined the last day of the weekend for me and had it not been for plans already made in the afternoon that didn't involve being a fugitive of the law, I would have lit that Jiffy Lube up in a fit of uncontrollable anger.</p>
<p>Thanks goes out to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>, <span>Roberto Mancini</span> and the Gallagher brothers. Thanks for nothing, you meek, only-good-on-paper egomaniacs. Loves, Your New Nemesis.</p>
<p>Onto the bueno, the malo and the feo.</p>
<p><b>Good:</b> Who said we suck at set pieces? OK, so maybe we still have some work to do, but that was sure a purdy goal now, wasn't it? Whether by intention or just recognizing that <span>Per Mertesacker</span> slipped into space, <span>Laurent Koscielny</span> headed down a well-placed free kick to the exact, right spot for the BFG to head it comfortably past <span>Mark Schwarzer</span>. Taking advantage of our height on the pitch needs to occur more frequently; here's hoping we can continue to utilize this aspect of our squad in the remaining four matches of the season.</p>
<p><b>Bad: </b><span>Olivier Giroud's</span> overall play, again. Look, he's a talented player. It's not as if he doesn't have prior goal-scoring success, or that this is the first time he's lead an attack on his own, in the center of the pitch. But my God, he's looking like he's in dire need of a rest. Apparently Andre Marriner thought the same; Giroud's late tackle ended up high on Stanislav Manolev's foot, eerily-similar to <span>Steve Sidwell's</span> challenge that saw him sent off early in Saturday's encounter, and an early exit for the Frenchman. Arsenal appear set to dispute the sending off, but given Wenger's comments afterwards and the similar nature to Sidwell's challenge, I'm not too optimistic in the FA overruling Marriner's decision.</p>
<p><b>Ugly:</b> Arsenal's extremely lackluster, wanting and toothless play when a man up for the majority of the match. My hope is they had one eye on this Sunday's encounter with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> because that might have been one of the worst displays of man-advantage I've ever seen in soccer. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> played deep and with the aggressive intent on countering when retaining possession, forcing <span>Wojciech Szczesny</span> into far too many desperate saves given the match situation, and Arsenal seemed lacking of answers even with the substitutions of <span>Jack Wilshere</span> and <span>Lukas Podolski</span> in the second half. Combined with the lack of an effective attack last Tuesday versus <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> and it makes for one Nervous Nelly as the days tick away until Sunday. Hopefully enough shoes are thrown on the training pitch to correct whatever blerghivitis that's suddenly made its home within our squad.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2013/4/22/4252250/fulham-arsenal-epl-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-match-reviewTravis King2013-04-20T14:18:01-04:002013-04-20T14:18:01-04:00Arsenal unsure about Giroud red card appeal
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zXu-rcLqMrn4FPOr-CK6oCAS_tA=/4x0:3995x2661/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11851931/167098997.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If they don't, he'll miss three. If they do, he may miss fewer.</p> <p><span>Olivier Giroud</span> earned a straight red today against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> for a tackle in which he glanced the top of the ball before crunching into Stansilav Manolev. It doesn't sound as if an appeal is forthcoming from <span>Arsene Wenger</span>, however. Here's what the manager had to say:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>He went over the ball and knowing that Sidwell had been sent off before, I had no illusion of the colour of the card.</p>
<p><b>on if he will appeal Giroud's red…</b><br>I have to see it again. I haven't seen it on television.</p>
<p align="right">Source:<a target="_blank" href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-on-red-cards-and-a-crucial-win"> Arsenal.com</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Given the fact of the direct comparison to Sidwell's red card, which surely is a straight red no matter the appeal, it seems unlikely that Wenger would decide to appeal his own striker's dismissal. A three-match ban is coming down the pike for the French striker, most likely, which means he will miss the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> match at home, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/queens-park-rangers">Queens Park Rangers</a> away, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://pieeatersfootie.sbnation.com/">Wigan Athletic</a> at home.</p>
<p>Look for <span>Theo Walcott</span> and <span>Lukas Podolski</span> to fill in at center forward in Giroud's absence.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2013/4/20/4246348/arsenal-olivier-giroud-red-card-appealTed Harwood2013-04-20T13:55:26-04:002013-04-20T13:55:26-04:00Fulham 0 - 1 Arsenal: Match Report
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mPwv0LIuuYisZOgmVNWpIGQ1jw4=/0x0:3305x2203/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11850699/167097812.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Arsenal manage to leave Craven Cottage today with three points, but they will miss Olivier Giroud for three matches, most likely.</p> <p><br><span>Steve Sidwell</span> red card 12'<br>0 - 1 <span>Per Mertesacker</span> 44'<br><span>Olivier Giroud</span> red card 90'</p>
<p>There are probably at least two ways to look at today's match between Fulham and Arsenal. One is that it was a tense affair, both sides having a plan and neither executing it particularly well, and that maybe it was a little boring. Another way to look at it is oh my stars and garters will someone put me out of my misery nothing is working blarghhghhhgh---</p>
<p>It was that kind of game.</p>
<p>Fulham always prove tough opponents for Arsenal, particularly with <span>Martin Jol</span> at the helm, and the slow pitch and organized defending for the Cottagers was on display today, even after they went down to ten men after Steve Sidwell tackled <span>Mikel Arteta</span> over the top of the ball. Andre Marriner wasted no time in reaching for the back pocket, Sidwell was gone, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal's</a> total possession game would have a chance to really batter Fulham.</p>
<p>That was the theory, anyway, but for the next half hour, Arsenal's passes in the final third, although legion, were mostly not forward into dangerous areas leading to shots. Despite Arsenal's dominance of the ball, it was Fulham who had the shots on target, <span>Dimitar Berbatov</span> forcing a good save from <span>Wojciech Szczesny</span> 21 minutes in. Fulham were looking to hit Arsenal on the break, and if it weren't for Berbatov going marginally offside time and again, it may have worked.</p>
<p>Arsenal, meanwhile, were laboring at the other end. Olivier Giroud managed to make a good turn and shoot on 39 minutes, but his shot glanced off the outside of the far post. As halftime approached, it looked as if Arsenal were going to go in without a reward, but then their two center halves decided they were fed up. <span>Theo Walcott's</span> free kick on 44 minutes flew towards the far post, and <span>Bryan Ruiz</span> momentarily forgot that <span>Laurent Koscielny</span> existed. Kos headed the ball back across <span>Mark Schwarzer</span> towards the other post, and Per Mertesacker, who'd evaded <span>Philippe Senderos</span> (<i>bonjour</i>, Philippe!), nodded the ball into the net, simple as can be.</p>
<p>Imagine that.</p>
<p>Halftime arrived.</p>
<p>The second half started with Arsenal just possessing the ball for long stretches of time again, much as the first half had played out. But Fulham were working hard, pressing when they could, and breaking when they could, giving Mikel Arteta in particular a hard time when he had the ball. Stanislav Manolev forced another good save from Szczesny on the break on the 70th minute, and <span>Arsene Wenger</span> decided to bring on the subs. <span>Jack Wilshere</span> and <span>Lukas Podolski</span> entered, <span>Tomas Rosicky</span> and Theo Walcott left. Fulham continued to press and win free kicks, but Berbatov hit the wall in the 78th minute, and Arsenal escaped. The match tensed right along until the 90th minute, when, as Arsenal were trying to hold on as three additional minutes were announced, Olivier Giroud pulled a Sidwell and tackled over the top of the ball. Marriner was right on the spot once again, and gave the Frenchman the straight red.</p>
<p>Fulham was really pushing for an equalizer as extra time ticked away. <span>Thomas Vermaelen</span> entered the fray for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham's</a> last corner, and as it was cleared, <span>Aaron Ramsey</span> was set loose on the break, but he flashed his shot wide. The whistle came during the goal kick, though, so he didn't have to rue his miss, and Arsenal had secured the three points.They will miss Giroud for a while, but for now, the run continues; five points clear of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> (who have two games in hand), and temporarily back in third place. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> host <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> tomorrow; <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> go to Spurs.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2013/4/20/4246200/arsenal-fulham-match-report-2013-premier-leagueTed Harwood2013-04-20T11:57:03-04:002013-04-20T11:57:03-04:00Fulham vs. Arsenal: Instant Reaction
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KiMkoE3Z4oj8y0SqDB0NhuDMeRM=/0x334:3316x2545/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11844701/167097827.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Arsenal barely pulled one out of the fire today.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> had a bit of a rough time against ten-men <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> today. Here are some quick thoughts, with a full report to come later on:</p>
<p><b>- Arsenal had like 80% of the possession, no matter how many men Fulham had on the pitch.</b> But possession stats don't really tell the story today, and they're flawed anyhow, so let's just move on.</p>
<p><b>- Arsenal couldn't really muster more shots than Fulham could. </b>Arsenal just simply weren't finding a final ball that they needed to, and Fulham were enterprising on the break.</p>
<p><b>- Giroud/Arteta/Monreal/Sagna had a bad game, but he wasn't the only one. </b>Basically the whole team was slow-looking, passes weren't connecting, ideas weren't there. Giroud's moronic red card as full time was approaching was really not ideal, so he'll miss some time because of that.</p>
<p><b>- Three points. </b>Three points! Arsenal five points up on Spurs, although Spurs have two games in hand. It's getting wild at the end. Praise Per!</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2013/4/20/4245868/arsenal-fulham-final-score-instant-reaction-2013-premier-leagueTed Harwood2013-04-20T09:37:02-04:002013-04-20T09:37:02-04:00Fulham vs. Arsenal: Match Thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GcSn8iIXQnhEFPkUUpfs2unE7Oc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11838497/155981528.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Clive Rose</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It's your match thread for today, and that's no joke.</p> <p> </p>
<p align="center"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a><br>Saturday 20 April 2013<br>Kickoff: 10:00am ET<br>Location: Craven College, London<br>Form: FUL WWLDL | ARS WWWWD<br>TV Coverage: ESPN2</p>
<p align="left">Here are the lineups:</p>
<p align="left"><b>Fulham: </b>Schwarzer; Manolev, Senderos, Hangeland, Richardson; Enoh, Sidwell; Ruiz, Emanuelson, Kacaniklic; Berbatov.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Subs: </b>Etheridge, Riise, Hughes, Karagounis, Frei, Rodallega, Petric.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Arsenal: </b>Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Subs: </b> Mannone, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski.</p>
<p align="left">So: <span>Tomas Rosicky's</span> back in the side. <span>Nacho Monreal</span> replaces <span>Kieran Gibbs</span> at left back. <span>Jack Wilshere</span> moves back to the bench, as does Gervinho.</p>
<p align="left">Meanwhile, former Gunner <span>Philippe Senderos</span> will man the back for Fulham along with <span>Brede Hangeland</span>, and noted European nobleman and aristocrat <span>Dimitar Berbatov</span> will lead the line. He has a -10 in my opinion of him due to his short reign, and another -15 due to his being obviously possessed. However, he's recently gifted me 37 gold pieces, so that's given him a +34. And he likes falconry.</p>
<p align="left">Enjoy the match wherever you are, feel free to comment on the match below, and please remember to not link to illegal streams below and always be kind to each other.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2013/4/20/4245560/arsenal-fulham-lineups-match-thread-2013-premier-leagueTed Harwood2013-04-19T09:00:06-04:002013-04-19T09:00:06-04:00Fulham-Arsenal match preview
<figure>
<img alt="The horror." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YeZm6w7-euoKiYqsPkPxKy2WdBY=/0x107:2887x2032/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11774085/166757920.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The horror. | Michael Regan</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Arsenal will look to win their fourth road match in a row in all competitions, in preparation for a showdown with Manchester United in a week's time.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Fulham vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a><br>Saturday 20 April 2013<br>Kickoff: 10:00am ET<br>Location: Craven College, London<br>Form: FUL WWLDL | ARS WWWWD<br>TV Coverage: ESPN2</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After a somewhat disappointing result against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> in a midweek fixture, Arsenal will try to get the ball (of winning, and stuff) rolling again as they travel to Fulham Saturday. Presumably they hope to score more goals than this past week, but concede the same number.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Fulham, on the other hand, won't want to keep anything from their last match, a 3-0 drubbing at home by the other team in Fulham. They've been decent all year - squarely midtable at 10th, with a -7 goal differential - but have only one point from their last three matches, which is a run that Arsenal will attempt to perpetuate.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham's</a> midfield is thin of late. <span>Damien Duff</span> is unlikely to be available, as he missed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> match with a thigh injury. Ashkan Dejagah also will not be available, as he's out for the rest of the season (which obviously includes this game). It's gotten so bad that Fulham <a href="http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2013/4/18/4239134/fulhams-kacaniklic-recalled-burnley-loan" target="_blank">have recalled</a> winger <span>Alex Kacaniklic</span> from Burnley, and while he's unlikely to start directly after coming from the Championship, that doesn't change the fact that the injuries have hurt Fulham.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">On the other hand, it looks like Arsenal are relatively well off on the injury front. <span>Lukasz Fabianski</span> is still out with a rib injury suffered when he got kicked against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/">Norwich City</a> (good thing we protect 'keepers in this league!), so <span>Wojciech Szczesny</span> is almost definitely starting. Considering he's the number 1, that's not that big of a deal really, but Fabianski had earned his spot so it's unfortunate that he has (again) lost his chance to injury.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Aside from that, there's some tests, but for the most part people should be healthy. <span>Tomas Rosicky</span> is the biggest doubt, as he missed the Everton game, but along with <span>Santi Cazorla</span>, <span>Jack Wilshere</span>, and <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span>, he will face a Friday fitness test. The others all should be okay, <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/team-news-fabianski-and-rosicky" target="_blank">it sounds</a>, but they're all important players and missing any of them would hurt.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">While neither one is injured (for once), the result is that nobody has any idea who's going to start on the left side of the defense. Between <span>Kieran Gibbs</span> and <span>Nacho Monreal</span>, <span>Arsene Wenger</span> has <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-on-gibbs-berbatov-and-pfa-awards" target="_blank">some decisions to make</a>. With both playing pretty well, the dilemma is a good one to have, but it makes previewing games harder, and that's my main concern at the moment. Seeing as Wenger mentioned that Gibbs is a "candidate for higher up," I'd bet on him starting on the bench and Nacho on the pitch. Also, I hope that's who gets picked because I like to say "Nacho."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The most likely lineup is:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Szczesny<br>Sagna - Koscielny - Mertesacker - Nacho<br>Ramsey - Arteta<br>Walcott - Cazorla - Podolski<br>Giroud</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I guess? Honestly at this point it's hard to tell who Wenger does and doesn't like at any given time, and with a lot of players playing "adequately" to "well," there are a lot of options. I feel like it's been a while since this has been the case, but I've probably said that before, so I'll just be happy about it.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Prediction:</b> It goes the way Fulham games usually do, and in the 89th minute it's tied 3-3. But <span>Aaron Ramsey</span> ain't about that life. Just before time, he scores, and there is much rejoicing, aside from among the world's despots. <b>Fulham 3-4 Arsenal.</b></p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2013/4/19/4240758/arsenal-match-preview-fulham-premier-leagueThomas Wachtel