After five and a half years without a major trophy, Arsenal took two major steps towards two pieces of silverware this week. With Manchester United’s shock exit from the Carling Cup, Arsene Wenger’s men have become the clear favourites to taste glory at Wembley in February.
The Gunners' win at Villa Park last weekend also put them firmly in the race for the title, although their tendency to fail to put teams away, regardless of pressure, will be a concern with some big tests on the horizon.
Fulham are scrapping and scrimping points at the moment- lacking a real cutting edge in the continued absence of Bobby Zamora. Mark Hughes will hope that Mark Schwarzer, fresh from signing a new deal at Craven Cottage, puts in a strong showing against the side he nearly joined in the summer.
Prediction: 3-1
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