Arsenal are in the midst of one of their biggest Premier League season for years, sitting top of the table in a title race against Manchester City. With just a few months remaining in the campaign and five points between the two sides, Mikel Arteta will need every bit of help he can get to ensure they get over the line.
The Gunners left it late to find a winner last time out against relegation battlers Bournemouth, going a goal down just nine seconds in which later doubled by the hour mark. Ben White and Thomas Partey hit back shortly after, but it appeared as though the game would drift to a draw.
That wasn't the case though, as the Gunners scored the decisive goal in the 97th minute through a Reiss Nelson goal that sent the Emirates Stadium into raptures. It's those fine margins that appear to be giving the north London outfit an edge and they may need a few more of those in their favour come late May.
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After a tough draw away at Sporting CP in the Europa League on Thursday night, attention returns to the Premier League and a huge clash against London rivals Fulham on Sunday. The west London outfit have impressed this season and could create a difficult game for the Gunners to find their way through.
However, Arteta's side may have been handed a slight boost going into the game as Marco Silva is set to be without one of his side's key players. That's because Joao Palhinha is set to miss the tie after receiving his 10th booking of the season against Wolves a few weeks ago.
The midfielder will therefore miss two games, the first of which came in the 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Monday night, with his second due to come against Arsenal. Palhinha has been a sensation since joining from Sporting CP in the summer, with his absence leaving huge boots to fill for Silva.
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