Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Fulham host Arsenal in Premier League action.

Jamie Redknapp: Arsenal need a ‘killer’ in front of goal

They haven’t go what I would call a ‘killer’ in front of goal. Nketiah comes in today, Jesus does a lot for the team but in terms of finishing and getting those clinical goals, those goals two or three yards out that others get, it is just not in his armoury.

That’s why there are so many rumours about them trying to sign a centre forward in the January transfer window. It’s not going to be easy but that’s what is missing.

I’ve no doubt from at attacking point of view they miss Granit Xhaka. He was a creative force in that team. I never thought I’d say it but they do miss him.

I want to see a bit more from Odegaard, he has been good at times but perhaps lacks a clinical element.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 31, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The warm-ups are well underway

It’s an overcast but mostly dry afternoon in west London and Craven Cottage is slowly filling up as the two teams go through pre-match preparations. Just over 20 minutes until kick-off.

Arsenal's Spanish goalkeeper #22 David Raya warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on December 31, 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Arsenal - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 31, 2023 Arsenal players during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Gunners usually end year on a high

Fulham have won their final league games in five of the last eight calendar years (two draws, one defeat in the others). Last year they beat Southampton 2-1 on this date.

But Arsenal have won their final league game in 12 of the last 16 calendar Yeats (two draws and two defeats in the others), including the last three in a row.

The Gunners won 4-2 at Brighton on New Year’s Eve last season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: A general view inside the Arsenal dressing room prior to the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 31, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

It’s well known that Arsenal want to sign a striker to power their title push in January, with Brentford and England sharpshooter Ivan Toney a prime candidate.

But Mail Sport’s very own Chris Sutton has urged the Gunners to sign someone more ‘up to speed’

Toney returns from his eight-month betting ban on January 16.

Click the links to read more.

The festive feel remains at Fulham!

A nice sense of New Year cheer at Craven Cottage with a brass band playing as the fans make their way into the ground.

epa11050440 A brass band plays outside Craven Cottage stadium ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC, in London, Britain, 31 December 2023. EPA/DAVID CLIFF EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
epa11050438 A brass band plays outside Craven Cottage stadium ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC, in London, Britain, 31 December 2023. EPA/DAVID CLIFF EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

The January transfer window open tomorrow and we can expect most of the Premier League clubs to do business of some kind.

Our transfer guru Simon Jones has compiled a guide to each of the teams and their anticipated moves.

Click the link to read.

Happy hunting ground for the Gunners

Arsenal have won their past five Premier League away games against Fulham, netting at least three goals in each of the past four.

Only at Aston Villa between 1932 and 1939 have the Gunners ever scored three or more goals in five consecutive away league games against an opponent.

epa11050437 Marshalls stand outside Craven Cottage stadium ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC, in London, Britain, 31 December 2023. EPA/DAVID CLIFF EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, 'live' services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

With Kai Havertz coming back into Arsenal’s team, it’s an opportune moment to post this piece from overnight by Isaan Khan.

It tells how the German, who cost the Gunners a sizeable £65million, has overcome a slow start to become a crucial part of Mikel Arteta’s side.

Click the links to read.

Breaking: The confirmed Arsenal team

Arsenal have confirmed that Oleksandr Zinchenko misses out with a slight calf issue.

That means Jakob Kiwior steps in for Arsenal at left-back.

Elsewhere, Kai Havertz, who was suspended for the West Ham loss, comes back in for Leandro Trossard in midfield.

In attack, Eddie Nketiah is preferred to Gabriel Jesus, who starts this one on the bench.

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

Subs: Ramsdale, Gabriel Jesus, Smith Rowe, Cedric, Tomiyasu, Trossard, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny

Breaking: Here’s how Fulham line up

Marco Silva has made three changes from the Fulham side well beaten at Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

Raul Jimenez returns in attack following his three-match ban. Willian also returns following three games out with a hamstring injury, and he faces his old club.

The third change comes at right-back, with Timothy Castagne in for Kenny Tete.

Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Tosin, Bassey, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Decordova-Reid, Willian, Iwobi; Jimenez

Subs: Rodak, Tete, Reed, Wilson, Ballo-Toure, Pereira, Muniz, Lukic, Diop

Team news shortly

We should have the confirmed starting line-ups for you in the next few minutes, so stay tuned.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Arsenal - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 31, 2023 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta arrives at the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.

Form guide – Arsenal

It’s been a worrying little wobble for Arsenal but one that hasn’t dented their title hopes given rivals have also been dropping points.

They went down 1-0 to Aston Villa on December 9 and since then they’ve beaten Brighton 2-0, drawn 1-1 at Liverpool and lost 2-0 at home to West Ham.

So a mixed bag. That loss to the Hammers was a surprise and Arteta’s side will be desperate to put that behind them with three points today.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Some timely comments from Gunners captain Martin Odegaard ahead of this one after his team dropped eight points in their last four matches to slip to fourth spot.

He has revisited the pain of last season, when Arsenal lost out in the title race to Manchester City having been some way in front.

Click the link to read more.

Form guide – Fulham

Fulham’s form has really flip-flopped in the past couple of weeks.

After back-to-back 5-0 thrashings of Nottingham Forest and then West Ham, the Cottagers have suffered three consecutive league defeats and haven’t even scored a goal.

They went down 3-0 at Newcastle, 2-0 at home to Burnley and 3-0 at Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

But interspersed with that, they did reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals by winning on penalties at Everton.

Who knows what today will bring but a fourth straight league loss will pile the pressure on.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Marsh/Shutterstock (14270688ce) Rodrigo Muniz of Fulham and team mates look dejected. AFC Bournemouth v Fulham, Premier League, Football, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, UK - 26 Dec 2023

How the table looks

Saturday in the Premier League saw victories for Aston Villa and Manchester City but neither were able to knock Liverpool off top spot in the table.

Villa did move level on 42 points with Jurgen Klopp’s side with their dramatic 3-2 home win over Burnley, while City are two points back with a game in hand after beating Sheffield United 2-0.

Liverpool aren’t in action until tomorrow when they play Newcastle.

But Arsenal, as you can see, are able to move top this afternoon. Tottenham are also playing today, at home to Bournemouth and that’s also at 2pm.

Gunners aim to end 2023 on top

It’s the final Premier League action for the year and Arsenal could usher in 2024 sitting top of the tree again.

A win over London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon will see the Gunners leapfrog Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool to the top.

But Mikel Arteta’s side do sometimes show vulnerability, such as in their 2-0 home loss to West Ham the other night, and for many that is why they’ll again fall short in the title race.

Fulham have suffered defeat in their last three league outings, without even scoring, and will be desperate for some New Year cheer with the scalp of Arsenal.

Welcome along to our live coverage. Well bring you plenty of build-up before the 2pm kick-off.

The floodlights are shining brightly in the gloom ahead of the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on December 31, 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

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