Arteta wants to set an away win record
In the Premier League this season, Arsenal have won Crystal Palace 2-0, Brentford 3-0, Chelsea 1-0 and Tottenham 2-0, all away. A victory in a similar way at Craven Cottage today will make the "Gunners" the first club in English football history to reach five victories without conceding a goal when being a guest in derbies.
But to do that, Arteta stressed Arsenal must quickly improve the quality of defense in the penalty area. When the team drew Sporting Lisbon 2-2 in the first leg of the 1/8 round of the Europa League, the Spanish coach publicly criticized the players for receiving goals in an easy way.
"Arsenal conceded from set pieces, allowing the opponent to create many opportunities," the 40-year-old coach added at the press conference before the Fulham match. "We've both conceded two goals in two consecutive games against Bournemouth and Sporting. If you want to be top, win, you need to keep a clean sheet. We haven't done well enough in stopping the opposition from creating chances in the last two weeks, and need to do the right thing in the box."
In the first leg at the Emirates Stadium in August 2022, Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 thanks to Martin Odegaard and Gabriel, after letting Aleksandar Mitrovic concede the first goal. This is one of Arsenal's five reverse victories in the Premier League this season, alongside defeats against West Ham 3-1, Man Utd 3-2, Aston Villa 4-2 and Bournemouth 3-2 - the best in the league. .
"The first leg was really complicated," recalled Arteta. "We were in full control of the game, but made a big personal mistake and lost first. But the whole team reacted the way they have reacted all season. Don't blame yourself, try your best. and in the end we got the reward."
The Spain coach said Kieran Tierney and Odegaard could return after missing the match against Sporting due to illness. Gabriel Jesus has recovered from a knee injury and can start.
Arsenal was under a bit of pressure when Man City beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the early game to shorten the gap to two points. Granit Xhaka admits the "Gunners" are under more pressure in the Premier League title race than at the beginning of the season. But the Swiss midfielder thinks that the whole team is in good spirits and needs to be maintained until the end of the season.
According to Xhaka, Arsenal had a hard time last time when the opponent retreated deep into the squad and died. "That's what happens when you're at the top of the league," he added. "In the Premier League, it's difficult to meet the first team or the bottom of the table. But as long as you get a good result, no one will care about that at the end of May."
On March 16, Arsenal received Sporting in the second leg of the 1/8 round of the Europa League and then met Crystal Palace in the 28th round of the Premier League on March 19.
