Fulham vs. Arsenal: 5 Keys to a Gunners Victory

Arsenal travel to Craven Cottage tomorrow for a tricky-looking fixture against a crafty and capable Fulham side.

After hauling themselves back into the Champions League places with a win over Queens Park Rangers, Arsenal will be looking to maintain their momentum and solidify their top four status.

But the task before the Gunners is no easy one. Fulham were worthy of their 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the campaign.

They possess a resolute defense and a midfield packed with technically proficient and intelligent ball players.

Here are five keys to subduing Marin Jol's team and securing a hugely significant three points to begin 2012.

5. Expose Fulham's Lack of Defensive Pace

Arsenal must exploit their definite advantage in team speed. The Gunners have the players who can exploit Fulham's lack of pace in defensive areas.

Cottagers talisman Brede Hangeland is an outstanding central defender. His combative style and innate ability to read the game make Hangeland one of the Premier League's best.

If Hangeland has one weakness, it is a distinct lack of pace. Arsenal should encourage wide forwards Gervinho and Theo Walcott to make plenty of runs through the middle.

The duo can also find joy making runs to the inside of veteran full-backs John Arne Riise and Stephen Kelly.

If used correctly, Arsenal's speed in forward areas should prove to be the difference between the two sides.

4. Track the Runs of Clint Dempsey

The Gunners will need to stay aware of the runs of Clint Dempsey. Occupying the pocket of space between the midfield and forward lines, Dempsey is arguably Fulham's biggest threat.

He takes up excellent positions and links well with the main striker. Arsenal's midfield trio will need to maintain their concentration and remain alert to Dempsey's movements.

He is a threat to score from anywhere along the edge of the box, and the Gunners must take away the outlet Dempsey provides.

3. Man Mark Moussa Dembele

Arsene Wenger should strongly consider assigning a man marker to Moussa Dembele. The cerebral forward is an extremely gifted attacker, capable of providing Fulham with genuine touches of brilliance.

Arsenal must harass and press Dembele all game and prevent him from exerting a strong influence on the play.

Alex Song has the pace and strength to stay with Dembele and combat the former AZ Alkmaar star on a physical level.

Song will need to stay focused and disciplined and not lose track of Dembele. Disrupting Dembele's creativity will reduce a good deal of the forward threat from Fulham.

2. Isolate Robin Van Persie Against Philippe Senderos

Arsenal should take every opportunity to isolate Robin van Persie against former Gunner Philippe Senderos.

Van Persie possesses the deceptive quickness and fluid movement to routinely escape the attentions of Senderos and threaten the Fulham goal.

The cumbersome Swiss stopper has struggled mightily in the past when faced with a forward whose game is based on intelligent movement.

Van Persie must concentrate all his efforts on targeting and exploiting Senderos. If he does, the Dutchman can begin the new year with a bang.

1. Be Ruthless in Front of Goal

Arsenal need to become much more efficient in front of goal than they have been in their last two games. The lack of a ruthless edge cost the team two points against Wolverhampton Wanderers and made the game against QPR a lot closer than it should have been.

Robin van Persie had the chances against Rangers to bag a hat trick, Theo Walcott made a mess of a one-on-one and Gervinho was guilty of a terrible miss late on.

The Gunners cannot afford to continue being so poor in front of goal. The team's finishing simply has to become more composed and clinical.

Time to Solidify Top Four Credentials

After their remarkable recovery from the start of the season, Arsene Wenger's team must now begin the process of sealing their place in the top four.

Maintaining their impressive away form with a win at Fulham is the best way to begin 2012 and to start to pull away from the chasing pack.

The Gunners face strong competition for fourth spot from Chelsea and Liverpool, so they cannot afford to be plagued by inconsistency in the second half of their league campaign.