Fulham vs. Arsenal: Complete Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and Schedule

Arsenal fans are happy about legendary striker Thierry Henry returning to the club for a two month loan starting in January, but the Gunners must focus on Premier League play heading into 2012, which starts with a match against Fulham on Monday.

The Gunners will play Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, then travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, a club struggling right now and in 13th place in the Premier League table.

Fulham has had trouble closing out games this season, drawing seven times, the second highest mark in the league.

These two teams played at the Emirates about a month ago on November 26 and Fulham earned a point at the Emirates.

Arsenal must capitalize on their chances in this match to take all three points and continue their ascent to the top four of the table.

Let's look at everything you need to know about this game.

Where: Craven Cottage, London, England

Watch: Fox Soccer, Sky Sports HD1

When: Monday, Jan. 2 at 12:30 p.m. EST

Live Stream: Sky Sports

Player to watch for Arsenal: Robin van Persie

World-class striker Robin van Persie leads Arsenal and the entire Premier League with 16 goals this season on an astounding 84 shots.

The Dutchman has been in fantastic form this season and is one of the most exciting players to watch in all of Europe.

Arsenal must get him involved early, because an early goal would do wonders for the confidence of the team and help them take all three points from a good Fulham club.

Player to watch for Fulham: Clint Dempsey

The American midfielder has become a solid player and his goal against Chelsea the day after Christmas helped Fulham earn a crucial point on a 1-1 draw.

Dempsey is a talented midfielder who can score goals and set up his teammates with quality scoring chances.

He leads Fulham with six goals this season and no one else on the club has more than three.

Key Matchup: Battle of the midfield

Both of these clubs are at their best when they win the battle of the midfield and this will be the key matchup on Monday.

Arsenal's Mikel Arteta has settled in nicely since his August transfer to the Emirates from Everton and his play making in the midfield is crucial to the Gunners chances of winning.

Fulham must limit Arteta's effectiveness to upset Arsenal and the Gunners must limit Dempsey's role in the midfield for them to earn a positive result.

What They're Saying

Fulham midfielder Simon Davies is hoping to return to the club for its matches in the New Year, saying via Soccernet:

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"It was great to be back against Swansea but my back gave me a little bit of grief afterwards," he told the club's official website. "It was from the rigours of trying to get back and fit again.

Later saying:

"I needed a week to ten days to rest and strengthen it and I've been back in training for the last three or four days. I'm just building up my fitness and I'm hoping to be involved, if not for the Arsenal game, then the Charlton game.

"

Arsenal center back Per Mertesacker thinks Thierry Henry will be a fine addition the club, saying via Soccernet:

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"Henry has a lot of experience and he is a great opportunity for us, but I am not the manager and I do not know what is possible, for him or for us. In training, Henry shows his class and [it is good] to have him with us. He still has the same attitude he showed in a lot of games at Arsenal."

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Prediction: Arsenal win 2-1

Arsenal drew to Fulham on November 26 because of a Thomas Vermaelan own goal and there is no way the Gunners make that kind of mistake again.

Arsenal has a great chance to climb into the top four of the table over the next week and they are determined to take all six points on Saturday and Monday against QPR and Fulham, respectively.

Robin van Persie will find his dominant goal scoring form and lead the Gunners to a massive win at Craven Cottage to start 2012 strongly.