Mikel Merino found the net for Arsenal in the 20th minute, registering the Gunners’ solitary goal in the encounter against Chelsea. The remainder of the game was rather lackluster, with neither side able to conjure up a significant scoring opportunity or record at least one expected goal (xG).

Under Mikel Arteta, the team had failed to secure a clean sheet in their preceding three matches. Moreover, in their last four home league fixtures at the Emirates Stadium, they struggled to hold off their opponents.

The Gunners are set to play a day before Liverpool. However, a loss on Tuesday would enable Nottingham Forest, currently third in the table, to narrow the gap with Arsenal to a single point. Nevertheless, given that Arsenal are 10 points clear of fifth - placed Manchester City, they are unlikely to be pulled into a tight top - four race.

On December 8, Arsenal were held to a 1 - 1 draw by Fulham in the earlier fixture. In fact, the Gunners have failed to claim victory in their last three meetings with the Cottagers, suffering one defeat and securing two draws.

Arteta’s side have remained unbeaten in five consecutive games. However, they were unable to secure wins in three of those matches. Additionally, they lost two out of their previous three games.

Looking at the hosts’ record at the Emirates Stadium, it’s somewhat inconsistent. In their nine most recent home games, they have recorded four wins, two draws, and three losses.

Fulham, Arsenal’s upcoming opponents, will aim to recover from their disappointing 3 - 0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter - final on Saturday. Despite having only 29% of the ball possession, Crystal Palace managed to create three high - quality scoring opportunities in that game.

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Fulham in the reverse fixture on December 8, and they are in fact winless against the Cottagers in their last three attempts, losing once and drawing twice in that time.

Arteta's side are unbeaten in five games but they failed to win three of those matches, and they also succumbed to defeat in two of their prior three.

The hosts' record at the Emirates is mixed considering they have lost three, drawn two and won four of their nine most recent outings at home.

Opponents Fulham will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday, a game in which the victors only accumulated 29% possession but still managed to create three big chances.

To the Cottagers' credit, their performance against Tottenham in the league was strong, with Marco Silva's side having restricted Spurs to just one shot in the first half.

Fulham could qualify for European football this season given just four points separate them from fourth-placed Chelsea, though they will play Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in three of their next four matches.

Silva's team have triumphed in four of their past six league games – losing two – while scoring nine goals, conceding on eight occasions and keeping one clean sheet in that period.

The Cottagers boast a strong away record having won five of their last six outings on the road, and they only lost one of their prior six away from home.

Arsenal could be boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka to the squad on Tuesday, but Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz remain out.

Given Saka is not likely to start after only recently returning from a hamstring injury, Merino may be flanked in attack by wide players Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri.

Defensive midfielder Thomas Partey is likely to start alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the pitch.

With defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu both unavailable, there is no reason to suggest that Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Myles Lewis-Skelly will not start in a back four.

Meanwhile, Fulham could trust Raul Jimenez to lead the line up front, and the striker may be flanked by Willian and Alex Iwobi considering Harry Wilson and Reiss Nelson are injured.

Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic partnered each other in midfield when Fulham last played Arsenal, and they are the most probable duo to be paired together on Tuesday.

Kenny Tete's knee injury is likely to keep him out of action until late April, and perhaps Silva will name a back four consisting of Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey and Antonee Robinson.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez