Stats not encouraging as Fulham need to end wait for a win at Arsenal – with lack of knockout punch costing them in Premier League

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Fulham need a win at Arsenal to revive their Premier League survival prospects – but the omens are not good.

The west Londoners have never picked up maximum points against the Gunners in an away fixture – with their record a woeful five draws and 24 defeats.

And Fulham have lost their last six matches against Arsenal, scoring three goals and conceding 18.

“When you get put to the canvas, the real character of someone is to get back up – we’re going to have to do that,” said Whites manager Scott Parker after a demoralising 1-0 loss to Wolves a week ago.

But the issue for Fulham has been that they seem incapable of landing knockout blows.

Only Sheffield United have netted fewer goals in the top flight and injury has deprived them of Ademola Lookman, their most dangerous attacking outlet.

Bobby Decordova-Reid leads the club’s Premier League goal charts with a paltry five but he has scored just once in that competition since the middle of December.

Some of Fulham’s football this season has been easy on the eye but it has failed to be backed up with tangible rewards. Chelsea loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek (pictured) is a prime example. The attacking midfielder has one goal – and even that needed a nick off an Everton defender to beat Jordan Pickford.

With Newcastle stretching the gap to safety to six points, it feels like an instant return to the Championship is on the cards.

Fulham’s February fillip has been followed by a horrible March – three points from a possible 18.

More worryingly, the quality of the team’s performances have also deteriorated badly.

PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD