Fulham v Arsenal preview

Published Jan. 1, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Arsenal will be without Thomas Vermaelen for the trip. The Belgium international suffered a calf strain against QPR on New Year's Eve and joins fellow left-back options Kieran Gibbs (stomach) and Andre Santos (ankle) on the sidelines. Midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) could be back by the middle of February, while full-backs Carl Jenkinson (back) and Bacary Sagna (broken leg) are both out. Fulham, meanwhile, look set to be without injured strikers Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson. Zamora has an Achilles problem while Johnson has a groin injury. Winger Damien Duff returned to action for the final 10 minutes of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Norwich, so could be in contention for a starting place. Midfielder Simon Davies (back) is another close to a comeback, but defender Zdenek Grygera (knee) and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer (spine) remain out. Fulham (from): Stockdale, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Kelly, Frei, Sidwell, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Ruiz, Dembele, Sa, Duff, Hughes, Baird, Kasami, Etheridge. Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Song, Ramsey, Arteta, Rosicky, Chamakh, Benayoun, Arshavin, Gervinho, Van Persie, Walcott, Almunia, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Miquel.