Arsenal v Fulham - Follow LIVE text commentary 09 May 2010

Arsenal v Fulham

Follow every kick as Arsenal take on Fulham at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League
on 09-May-2010, kick off time 16:00

Arsenal v Fulham Live


A season that has all too familiarly petered out in the last few weeks comes to an end for Arsenal when Europa League finalists Fulham visit the Emirates Stadium.Just over a month ago the Gunners were preparing to face Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and were involved in a three-way battle for the Premier League title.However, a 6-3 aggregate defeat to the current La Liga leaders has been followed by a run of one point from four league matches as Arsene Wenger's team have completely run of steam.Roy Hodgson is certain to rest several players with Wednesday's Final against Atletico Madrid in mind, although his team can still finish in the top half of the Premier League table despite the midweek defeat against Stoke City.It has been another brilliant season for the Cottagers particularly as they needed a final-day victory at Portsmouth two years ago to avoid relegation while it is just over a decade ago that they were plying their trade in the fourth tier of English football.The hairline fracture of the leg Cesc Fabregas suffered in last month's first game against Barca has certainly not helped Arsenal's cause and there remains a rash of players in the treatment room.William Gallas (calf), Johan Djourou (knee), Aaron Ramsey (broken leg), Kieran Gibbs (ankle), Thomas Vermalen (calf) and Denilson (groin) will all miss Sunday's match, but Andrey Arshavin and Manuel Almunia could return to action after recovering from calf and wrist problems respectively.Meanwhile, Hodgson is not expected to risk Bobby Zamora as the former Tottenham forward continues to struggle with an Achilles injury while Andrew Johnson is the only other absentee - the ex-Birmingham City forward has been sidelined since January with a knee injury.Winger Damien Duff will also miss out after picking up a leg muscle problem in the midweek 1-0 defeat by the Potters which threatens his Europa League Final appearance.Fulham have a terrible record at Arsenal and have failed to beat the Gunners on 23 occasions, losing 20 times.Last season at the Emirates Stadium, the Cottagers did at least manage to avoid defeat when they played out a goalless draw while, earlier this term at Craven Cottage, Wenger's side secured a 1-0 victory thanks to Robin van Persie's 52nd-minute goal.On that occasion, Arsenal's stand-in goalkeeper Vito Mannone produced a series of fine saves to deny the home side.