Arsenal squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool after a frustrating 1-1 draw at Fulham.
A resilient defensive effort from the hosts and Arsenal’s continued struggles in open play left Mikel Arteta with plenty to reflect on.
VAR intervention denied a late Bukayo Saka winner, capping off a frustrating afternoon for the Gunners.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, shows dejection after the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Arsenal blew their chance to close the gap on Liverpool to just four points as they left Craven Cottage with just a single point on Sunday.
A resolute defensive display from the hosts, combined with a lack of a cutting edge from Arsenal saw the Cottagers grab a 1-1 draw despite an xG of 0.14.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal is challenged by Alex Iwobi of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Fulham opened the scoring in 11th minute, having barely touched the ball in that time. Jakub Kiwior got caught out under the ball, allowing Raul Jimenez in. William Saliba did not close his angle down enough and David Raya will feel he should have done better.
It was pretty much the only thing Fulham offered all game.
It took Arsenal until the second half before they managed to find a way to unlock Fulham’s defence and, of course, it came from a corner.
Declan Rice, this time, with Saliba tapping it home for his second goal this week, all via a deft touch from Kai Havertz.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates are Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (not pictured) scores a goal, which was later ruled out for offside following a VAR review during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Arsenal thought they had won it in the 89th minute when Gabriel Martinelli’s whipped cross was headed in by Bukayo Saka at the far post, but VAR intervened.
Despite looking across the entire backline, Martinelli was a toe offside. And that was that.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores a goal, which was later ruled out for offside, following a VAR review during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Trials of Arsene Wenger’s ‘daylight’ offside rule should be coming soon.
There are, of course, some mitigating factors.
With no Riccardo Calafiori to call on due to injury, Jurrien Timber found himself switched again. Thomas Partey, at right back, is just not able to link with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in the ways we’ve come to enjoy.
In the heart of defence, Arsenal lost the stability of Gabriel, as well as his goal threat. Despite his performance against Manchester united midweek, Jakub Kiwior generally looks devoid of confidence and this game won’t have helped.
These can’t, however, be excuses.
There is much for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta to ponder after the game, not least the team’s growing reliance on set-pieces. Their last three goals have all come by that route and Arsenal currently sit 13th in the Premier League for their open play xG.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
After the game, Martin Odegaard told Sky Sports, “I think we dominated most of the game although the first half wasn’t great from us, it was a bit sloppy on the ball, lacked energy, some power.
“The second half was a lot better but it’s frustrating not to win. It was close at the end with the goal [ruled out by VAR], yeah, frustrating.
“It [Fulham] is a good team, they know how to defend, it’s a solid block, a lot of players behind the ball and really compact. We knew that before the game, we tried to deal with it and we didn’t do enough today.
“We have to learn from that and make sure we hit back in the next one.
“We have to focus on ourselves. We don’t care about the other teams.
“We did a lot of good things. We have to do more and put the ball in the box more times. Maybe be a bit more direct and aggressive. We could have won it in the end.
“It’s a very long way to go. We’ve said hundreds of times we have to keep going game by game.”
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