60,000 Arsenal fans were dancing around the Emirates after Reiss Nelson’s single kick, dreaming of their first championship since 2003–04.
Not since Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles have Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy.
In that time, Gunners fans have watched Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool claim top honours.
For a team that dominated in the 1990s and early 2000s, it’s barely-believable to think the red-half of North London have had to endure a near 20-year title drought.
Arsenal have often been accused of being mentally weak, with a threadbare squad starved of world-class talent.
In the past two decades, Arsenal have been forced to watch on as Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool have all won top honours.
It‘s been a long, difficult road for the Gunners, who have often been labeled mentally weak and have lacked world–class talent.
However, after their incredible comeback against Bournemouth on Saturday, a sense of belief is beginning to circulate.
Despite being behind within 10 seconds, the team kept fighting for a point, and it was down to substitute Nelson to score the winning goal.
With the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka being developed into world–class players, and a manager of Pep Guardiola‘s ilk, Arsenal are in a prime position to end their 20–year title drought this season.
They are currently five points clear at the top, and the pressure is on the competition to keep up with them.
Behind them are seasoned veterans of the title–winning game, with many of them having experience with their own dramatic triumphs – like Sergio Aguero‘s last–gasp strike in 2012, and Manchester City‘s nail–biting victory over Aston Villa last season.
Mikel Arteta knows there is still more to be done, and they must approach each game
Going forward, every match is a must–win situation. Every single game is a cup final. Every fixture presents a potential banana skin.
Perhaps this Arsenal team can manage to come out on top.
What is their form like?
Fulham: Very strong.
The Cottagers are surpassing all expectations by pushing an unlikely European place for next season.
So often caught yo-yo-ing between the Premier League and Championship, Marco Silva has his side looking genuinely threatening.
Fulham were seven matches unbeaten in all competitions – including reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals – before their heartbreaking 3-2 loss at Brentford last time out.
Arsenal: Also very strong.
The Gunners have now won their last four Premier League matches since the 3-1 top-of-the-table six-pointer defeat at the hands of Man City last month.
And on the back of their last-gasp win over Bournemouth, they’ll be full of confidence at Craven Cottage.
What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?
Fulham: Layvin Kurzawa is the latest home star to pick up an injury, with a knee issue.
He joins Tom Cairney (shin) and Neeskans Kebano (Achilles) in missing the match.
Elsewhere, Palhinha will serve the first of his two-match suspension against the Gunners.
Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus has rejoined the squad and is training after three months out with a knee injury, although this match may come too soon.
Eddie Nketiah is still out and is joined by Leanardo Trossard on the physio’s table after the latter picked up a knock against the Cherries.
Mohamed Elneny is a long-term absentee for Mikel Arteta.
Who will be the star men?
Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Back from injury, the Serbian star will look to use his physicality to wreak havoc on the Gunners back-four.
Arsenal: Martin Odegaard.
Against a strong Fulham side, Arteta will look to his captain to pull the strings in midfield and open doors for Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Co in attack – or even add to his tally of nine Premier League goals himself.
