Arsenal aim to revive title bid against Fulham

Arsenal visit Fulham on Saturday with little margin for error after having already been hailed as both potential champions and title no-hopers just five games into their Premier League season.

At their best — and particularly in front of goal — Arsene Wenger’s side have looked the match of any of their main rivals but deficiencies in defence have underpinned an inconsistent run of results that has already brought two defeats.

The trip to Craven Cottage will provide Arsenal with the chance to restate their claims — and if they fail to do so, the presence of Brede Hangeland in the Fulham back-line could trigger feelings of regret for Wenger over his decision not to pursue his interest in the Norway centre-back this summer.

Wenger made no secret of his admiration of Hangeland before the start of the season before eventually deciding that the addition of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax would be enough to plug any holes in his side?s back-line.

But while the Belgian has been outstanding during the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign, his presence alone hasn?t been enough to fill the gaps and Arsenal have already conceded eight league goals.

And those defensive frailties could prove costly over the coming months as the Gunners attempt to challenge at the head of the table.

Wenger’s men have had no such problems in front of goal with where they have scored 17 times in their opening five matches, although the chances of them adding significantly to that total could be limited against a well-organised Fulham side.

There is little doubt, though, that after successive away defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City, Wenger?s side must claim all three points if they are to press on in pursuit of current leaders Chelsea who have yet to drop a point.

In both those games Arsenal played well for long periods before surrendering to the kind of lapses in concentration that became a trademark of their play last season.

And while last weekend?s 4-0 defeat of Wigan helped Wenger?s side shake off the hangover of the most recent loss, the Emmanuel Adebayor-inspired 4-2 defeat at Eastlands, victory over an obstinate Fulham will provide a more telling demonstration of their resilience.

Wenger will welcome back Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie into his attack after the pair sat out the midweek League Cup win over West Bromwich Albion. “We had Arshavin out and a little problem with Van Persie during the week but Arshavin should be back and Van Persie should be alright,” said the manager.

Both players will be needed against a Fulham side that has maintained the progress of last season and came close to pulling off an away victory at City this week after a less impressive performance at Wolves a few days earlier.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was understandably relieved to hold onto Hangeland and with forwards Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora now both fit again, his side had added firepower to their defensive strength.

“It’s a London derby, so that gives added spice, but it’s a big game anyway, and live on television as well,” said Jonathan Greening, the Fulham captain.

“It will be a great atmosphere and after our disappointing performance against Wolves, it’s an opportunity for us to put things right against a top quality side.

“If we can show the same kind of attitude as we did against City, I think we’ll be fine on Saturday.”