Only a point was managed by Arsenal in a bruising encounter against Everton at the Emirates Tuesday, making the London Derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage basically a must-win, if they are to sustain their challenge for a top-four place in the English Premier League.
The goalless draw over Everton was not a bad point in the end, with the Gunners standing up to the physical test quite well, after initially struggling in the first 20-25 minutes.
If only they had taken their chances, it would have been a much-needed win; but now it is time to move on and refocus for the next game.
Fulham are no mugs in the Premier League, and have posed quite a few problems to Arsenal in the recent past. The 3-3 draw at the Emirates earlier this season is still looked at by many as two points dropped; points that now prove to be so crucial as the Gunners fight tooth and nail to keep their place in the Champions League next season.
Arsenal are currently in fourth on 60 points one behind Chelsea, after the Blues' comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham saw them climb up to third. Spurs are right behind on 58 points, while Everton are still in with a shot on 56 points.
Chelsea and Tottenham have the slight upperhand, as they have a game in hand on their opponents, although the two London rivals do have to play each other later in the season.
In the corresponding fixture against Fulham last season, Arsenal went down 2-1 to the Cottagers, after a late strike from Bobby Zamora. Fulham had also drawn their away game at the Emirates in the previous season.
So, things need to be set right from Arsenal's perspective. The defending in the 3-3 draw in November was embarrassing, and Fulham are a side capable of punishing their opponents if they are gifted opportunities.
In Dimitar Berbatov they have a striker capable of unlocking any defence and Arsenal must starve the Bulgarian of service on Saturday.
Arsenal do have a few injury concerns going into the game, with Lukasz Fabianski ruled out for the second straight match, while Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be assessed after picking up knocks in the match against Everton.
Tomas Rosicky is also another worry, with Wenger revealing the midfielder was not quite ready to start the previous game, after missing the 3-1 win over Norwich last weekend.
Fulham have ruled out Ashkan Dejagah, and Damien Duff, while Emmanuel Frimpong is ineligible to face his parent club. Steve Sidwell, though, returns from suspension
Arsenal will have two targets in mind on Saturday: to keep their chase for a top four on course, while also correcting the mistakes made in their last trip to Craven Cottage and the reverse fixture at the Emirates earlier this season.
Expected lineups: Fulham: Schwarzer; Riether, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise; Karagounis, Sidwell; Emanuelson, Berbatov, Ruiz; Petric.
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Arteta; Walcott, Rosicky, Cazorla; Giroud.
Prediction: 4-2 to Arsenal
