Arsenal missed the chance to go four points behind Liverpool with draw at Fulham
Mikel Arteta says Gunners 'did almost everything' to win at Craven Cottage
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By ISAAN KHAN
Published: 15:12 EST, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 15:12 EST, 8 December 2024
A frustrated Mikel Arteta was left ‘gutted’ by Arsenal’s draw with Fulham as his side blew their chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Bukayo Saka thought he had earned the Gunners all three points after heading in Gabriel Martinelli's cross two minutes from time. But the goal was disallowed, the Brazilian having found to be offside during the build-up.
It now leaves Liverpool with a game in hand — their match against Everton was postponed on Saturday due to Storm Darragh — which could see the Reds go nine points clear at the top.
Arteta said: ‘Gutted that we didn’t win it, because I think we deserved to win from the beginning to the end.
‘We did almost everything that we had to do to win it. But this is the quality of the opposition, with one chance they score a goal. And then the margins of the league as well.
A frustrated Mikel Arteta was left ‘gutted’ by Arsenal’s draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage
Bukayo Saka thought he had earned the Gunners all three points but it was ruled out for offside
‘For millimetres we could have been sitting here with three points after a really strong and dominant performance against a really good team.’
The north London club’s backline was the ninth different combination so far this season in 15 league games. Injuries to Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko meant Jakub Kiwior and Thomas Partey started in defence.
When asked about whether the changes resulted in Raul Jimenez’s goal, Arteta added: ‘I don’t know. I cannot promise you with different personnel it wouldn’t have happened. It was a really random situation.
‘Sometimes you have to praise the opposition. From that angle to score with the only shot of the game for the striker, the way he put it away, he did it. OK credit to them as well, and sometimes you have to recognise that.’
Marco Silva praised his team’s fighting spirit in the face of a team competing for the title.
Silva said: ‘We knew it was going to be tough, Arsenal made it really difficult for us. (It was) great fighting spirit and commitment from ourselves. In the first half they executed it (game plan) really well.
‘It's always tough when we play against them but they know it will be tough, too. We created a difficult scenario for them.
‘We have to be honest and fair. On the ball it was one of the games we had less time on the ball. We scored a very good goal. The second half was more difficult. The team had less energy.
The north London club’s backline was the ninth different combination so far this season
Marco Silva praised his team’s fighting spirit in the face of a team competing for the title
‘The players were brave enough. Second half much more control from them but not big chances.’
He also singled out Antonee Robinson, who played well in marshalling Bukayo Saka.
Silva added: ‘He’s been great for us. He’s one of the best full backs in the league. Not just because of the way he stops players, but in open play he’s already one of the full backs with the most assists.
‘He’s a top player and a great professional.’
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