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We rate the players from Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Arsenal suffered another setback in their title race on Sunday afternoon, drawing against a stubborn Fulham side at Craven Cottage.
Fulham took the lead in the 11th minute when Raul Jimenez showed some classy striker place, dropping, spinning, showing pace and then finding the bottom corner with a shot across his body. Arsenal levelled seven minutes after the restart when another corner routine picked out William Saliba, who headed across goal for a Kai Havertz tap-in. The goal looked offside, but the German striker was found to be level.
Arsenal dominated the ball in the second half but struggled to break down their hosts, who defended in an organised fashion. Bukayo Saka did think he had won it late on, but the goal was ruled out for an offside int he build-up. Here we rate the Gunners players from the stalemate.
David Raya - 6
Little he could do about the Jimenez strike. Made a good save at the near post in the second half and didn’t have much to do beyond that.
Thomas Partey - 7
Did an excellent job of keeping Adama Traore out of the game. He did miss a big headed chance from a corner, but Partey was very good defensively.
Jakub Kiwior - 5
Kiwior got done for the Jimenez goal. The Fulham striker dropped deep to suck the centre-back high, spun and destroyed him for pace before producing a fine finish. Kiwior learned his lesson after that and put in an otherwise solid performance, but he gets a five because of the big error.
William Saliba - 7
The goal came through Kiwior’s side and it was always going to be difficult for Saliba to make up the ground in time. The Frenchman provided the assist for the equaliser, rising head to head across goal. Solid defensively.
Jurrien Timber - 6
The opener did come down his side, but Timber was expected to be high in that position, so it wasn’t on him. Timber was generally solid here and didn’t give up chances on his side.
Jorginho (Off at 73’) - 6
Solid in midfield and kept Arsenal ticking over on the ball.
Declan Rice - 6
Great positionally, as he so often is. Managed the odd shot but largely just did the basics well. Picked up a wise yellow card in the final play, too, preventing a breakaway that would have left Arsenal exposed. The perfect defensive midfielder foul.
Martin Odegaard - 5
Odegaard found it difficult to get into any meaningful space, having to drop deep to get the ball. He needs to find a way to be more impactful when defences defend him like this.
Leandro Trossard (Off at 60’) - 5
Lots of effort, little production. Trossard struggled to impact the game against an excellent Antonee Robinson.
Bukayo Saka - 6
A busy first half and came close with a strong low strike after dancing into the box. Arsenal’s most dangerous player, but that is not saying much on an afternoon where the Gunners lacked fire power.
Kai Havertz (Off at 73’) - 5
Tapped in the equaliser, just about staying onside. Didn’t do much aside from that and rarely threatened.
Substitutes
Mikel Merino (On at 73’) - 6
Merino kept things ticking over but wasn’t able to produce anything more.
Gabriel Jesus (On at 73’) - 5
Pretty anonymous. Jesus struggled for space like many others.
Gabriel Martinelli (On at 60’) - 4
If you hadn’t seen the substitution take place, you would be forgiven for not knowing Martinelli came on for the first 25 minutes of his performance other than a silly yellow card for slamming the ball into the ground over a throw-in. He did almost save his performance with a superb assist to Saka, but he was offside when receiving the ball. Arteta needs more from his left sided wingers and quickly.
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