Premier League / Richard Walker / 21 August 2008 / Leave a comment

Victory beckons for Gooners, but will they win both halves? Richard Walker previews the clash between the north and west Londoners.

If Fulham aren't able to stop Hull City scoring, it kind of gets you thinking they're not going to have a great success keeping the flair-rich Arsenal attack at bay.

That's the job in hand for Roy Hodgson's side this Saturday tea-time. Few far from Craven Cottage will give them a chance - and while there's something nagging away at me about a draw for this one, it's impossible to be confident about any other scenario than a Gunners' victory.

Arsenal's new French midfielder Samir Nasri marked his arrival in near-record time, a fourth-minute strike accounting for West Brom on the opening day of the season. Doubtful he'll have quite so quick an impact in west London this weekend, but it's quality additions like him that the Cottagers can only dream of attracting.

Whites' fans will point to the arrival of Andrew Johnson from Everton, a hard-working type that would, in my eyes, have been an ideal partner for the equally conscientious Brian McBride but the latter's back in North America. Worsening Fulham's hopes is that Johnson signed with a slight thigh strain. It meant he missed the KC Stadium defeat and might well not make this higher-profile affair.

From the Emirates club, Mikael Silvestre has been grinning out of broadcast media screens this week and Fulham fans' hearts might have sunk a little further at the thought of the reliable - if injury-prone - left-footer being added to Arsenal's defensive ranks.

It's tough to see Fulham scoring really so, linking up with my nagging inclination towards the draw, I suppose I'm suggesting a sterile goalless draw is their best chance. That'll be around the [12.0] mark to back but I concede will only make a good cover selection for most.

The Gunners have the innate ability to rip average sides apart but it doesn't happen that often. It would, however, be naive of me to at least highlight a couple of Arsenal-flavoured scenarios. A particular favourite of mine - and one to consider if this result is not in doubt for you - is the Half Time/Full Time market. Arsenal/Arsenal, at around the [2.5] mark, could be right up your street if the [1.64] about the away win under Match Odds feels somewhat off-putting. For the record, Fulham, at [7.0], and roughly [4.0] are the Match Odds alternatives.

The Under/Over 2.5 goals Market I'm finding too tough. Overs is [2.14] to back while Unders is [1.86]. I suspect much will depend on the tempo of the early exchanges as to the confidence of your likely success if you're a regular player in this market.

Tags: Andrew Johnson, Arsenal, Brian McBride, Fulham, Hull City, Mikael Silvestre, Roy Hodgson, Samir Nasri, West Brom