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)
Arsenal have suffered a fresh blow in their hopes of winning the title
Pantomime season came early down by the Thames as this festive season Arsenal dropped points before Christmas.
Last year Mikel Arteta’s side lost London derbies to West Ham and Fulham and the title over the holiday period. On Sunday, the injury-hit Gunners defence allowed an early Raul Jimenez strike - and then every clearance from an Arsenal corner was met by theatrical applause by the Fulham faithful.
The excellent William Saliba equalised after the break with Arsenal’s 23rd goal from corners since the start of last season. And the North London club dominated the rest of the game as a winner seemed inevitable.
But the biggest cheer of the afternoon came in the 90th minute when Bukayo Saka’s late header was ruled out by VAR to deny the Gunners a fifth straight win. And at the end of the madcap afternoon of swirling wind and rain, Arsenal are still six points behind leaders Liverpool after playing a game more.
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Fulham, who took five points off the Gunners last season, were excellent. And Marco Silva’s side set a new club record of scoring in 14 successive top-flight matches and now are unbeaten in nine consecutive London derbies.
But to go from perennial challengers to champions, these are the kind of games Arsenal have to win. And despite all the second half pressure, they lacked variety and physicality in their attack outside their deadballs while Antonee Robinson nullified Saka.
And two points they closed in on Liverpool last week have potentially been given right back before Noel. The first half was reminiscent of the flat away defeats to Newcastle and Bournemouth as Fulham looked to spring Arsenal pressure with long balls.
It worked perfectly after 11 minutes when Jimenez was released by a perfect pass from right-back Kenny Tete. With Fulham’s first shot - and the only one on target until the 71st minute - the former Wolves striker cracked home his sixth goal of the season after running off Jakub Kiwior.
Raul Jimenez's opening goal helped Fulham to claim a draw against Arsenal
The simple move proved that Arsenal’s back four - missing the injured Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko - also needs to defend. Saka forced a good low save from former Gunners keeper Leno but most of the entertainment in the opening period occurred during Arsenal deadballs.
Amid all the WWF-style chaos, Leno made a couple of unconvincing punches, Traore mandhandled Saliba and Issa Diop ended up in his own net in slapstick scenes. The Premier League constantly throws up new entertainment and talking points - and Arsenal’s deadball deliveries are definitely the latest. Home fans now regard keeping out a Gunners corner a major relief and achievement
Asked if Fulham defending was fair, Arteta said: “Yes for sure. It is up to the referee to decide. Do I hear the opposition fans cheering clearances from our corners? For sure because we are a real threat and it is not simple to defend.”
Fulham’s resistance finally cracked with the Gunners’ fifth corner after 52 minutes. Declan Rice’s cross was mis-headed by Kai Havertz before Saliba diverted the ball home for his second goal of the campaign. A VAR check showed Antonee Robinson’s foot just played the Frenchman onside.
“It was only the foot of Robinson that saw their goal stand - normally we stop that goal,” said Silva. We handled their setplays really well. They are strong. The other team has to be strong as well.”
Thomas Partey should have headed home the winner from Arsenal’s sixth and final corner but Leno denied sub Andreas Pereira after a rapid counterattack. The climax to the encounter saw sub Gabriel Martinelli cut in and find Saka at the far post only for VAR to this time rule the Brazilian was just offside when he received the ball.
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