Arsenal and Fulham meet in the Premier League on Saturday in a London derby which holds extra importance for both sides, but for very different reasons.
The Gunners are looking to keep their place at the top of the table but are under relentless pressure from both Manchester City and Chelsea, who are waiting to pounce on any kind of slip-up.
Fulham have been hit and miss under the management of Rene Meulensteen, and the Dutchman will be demanding a response from the players that fell to a 4-1 defeat to relegation rivals Sunderland last weekend, a result which left the Cottagers only one point above the bottom three.
Tomas Rosicky and Nacho Monreal both face late fitness tests for Arsene Wenger's side as he attempts to cope with a lengthening injury list which includes Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made his return from five months out with a substitute appearance in the win over Aston Villa, but the England international is not likely to be rushed back to starting duties.
With Wenger yet to dip into the January transfer market, Olivier Giroud remains Arsenal's only option up front, but the Gunners are well equipped at the other end of the pitch, having not lost a top-flight match which Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have completed 90 minutes together in two years.
Dimitar Berbatov will probably be their main opposition on Saturday, and Meulensteen could choose three of any eight players to play supporting roles to the Bulgarian. Ashkan Dejagah could get the nod having scored in the 3-0 FA Cup victory over Norwich City in midweek.
Brede Hangeland made his first appearance since October 21 against the Canaries and is expected to be retained in central defence despite his lack of recent game time. Should Fernando Amorebieta fail a late fitness test, either Aaron Hughes or 21-year-old Dan Burn could deputise alongside the Fulham captain.
Former Gunner Steve Sidwell, who has scored in his last three matches, should be named as protection for the back four alongside Scott Parker, who was twice victorious over Arsenal in his Spurs days.
Recent form
Arsenal: WWWWDL
Fulham: LWLWLL
Possible starting lineups
Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Flamini, Wilshere; Cazorla, Ozil, Gnabry; Giroud
Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Sidwell, Parker; Dejagah, Dempsey, Kacaniklic; Berbatov
Sports Mole says: 3-0
Joe Fish
