Premier League Update: Arsenal's Draw Against Fulham

Arsenal missed a chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, settling for a draw against Fulham. Read match highlights and analysis.

Arsenal missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points, as they were held to a draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage. A late goal from Bukayo Saka was disallowed after Gabriel Martinelli was deemed offside in the build-up, denying the Gunners all three points.

Raul Jimenez gave Fulham a surprise lead against the run of play, capitalizing on Kenny Tete's ball down the line to fire past David Raya from a tight angle. This was Jimenez's sixth goal of the season, and it gave Fulham a crucial advantage. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal struggled to create scoring opportunities from open play in the first half, managing only one shot on target from Saka.

However, Arsenal's fortunes changed in the second half, as they equalized within six minutes of the restart. A well-executed corner kick routine saw William Saliba convert Kai Havertz's knockdown, leveling the score. The momentum shifted in Arsenal's favor, with the visitors pushing hard to find a winner. Despite their dominance, however, Arsenal struggled to break down a resolute Fulham side.

The draw means Arsenal remains six points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more. The result is a missed opportunity for Mikel Arteta's side, who had been looking to capitalize on Liverpool's postponed Merseyside derby against Everton.

Following Fulham's demoralizing 4-1 defeat at home to Wolves two weeks ago, fans might have felt apprehensive about the upcoming fixtures against Tottenham, Brighton, and Arsenal within a span of just seven days. However, as it turned out, their concerns were unfounded.

A spirited draw against Tottenham last weekend was a promising start, and Fulham built upon that result with a convincing 3-1 win over Brighton in midweek. The visit of Arsenal, though, posed the toughest challenge of the trio. Fulham manager Marco Silva made four changes to his starting lineup from the team that defeated Brighton, introducing Kenny Tete, Sasa Lukic, Raul Jimenez, and Adama Traore into the fold.

The Cottagers faced an early onslaught as Arsenal quickly settled into their rhythm, dominating possession and testing Fulham's defense. However, it was two of Silva's tactical changes that combined to give Fulham the lead in the 11th minute, catching Arsenal off guard and setting the tone for a closely contested match.

Kenny Tete's first touch of the game proved to be a decisive one, as he expertly threaded a pass down the line between Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior, finding Raul Jimenez in the process. Jimenez, closely marked by William Saliba, still managed to catch David Raya off guard with an early shot that found its way into the bottom corner. This clinical finish was Fulham's only shot on target in the first half, but they had done enough to deserve their lead, having effectively limited Arsenal to just one shot on target of their own.

Fulham's resolve was put to the test after Saliba's equalizer, as Arsenal dominated the remainder of the match in search of a winner. However, the Cottagers demonstrated their determination and resilience, refusing to cave under the pressure. Moreover, they carried a counter-attacking threat of their own, with substitutes Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira posing a danger to Arsenal's defense. Pereira, in particular, tested Raya at his near post late on, highlighting Fulham's ongoing threat.

The draw against Arsenal marked the end of a challenging week for Marco Silva's side, but one that they have navigated with impressive results. Having taken five points from the available nine, Fulham has demonstrated their ability to compete against top-tier opposition. This encouraging week will undoubtedly boost the team's confidence as they look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.

Arsenal's performance in the first half was underwhelming, lacking the sharpness and intensity that had characterized their recent wins against West Ham, Manchester United, and Sporting. The Gunners struggled to create scoring opportunities from open play, with Bukayo Saka's solitary shot on target being the only notable effort in the opening 45 minutes.

Arsenal's set-piece expertise, which had been highlighted in their 2-0 win over Manchester United, proved crucial once again as they equalized against Fulham. The Gunners' set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, deserves credit for designing another effective routine. Declan Rice delivered a pinpoint in-swinging corner from the left, which Kai Havertz nodded down to William Saliba, who tapped the ball home. The goal survived a VAR review and marked Arsenal's 23rd goal from a corner since the start of the 2023-24 season, the highest tally of any European club during that period.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal struggled to create scoring opportunities from open play, managing just four shots on target throughout the game. Instead, their most promising chances arose from set pieces, a theme that has become increasingly familiar for the Gunners this season.

The draw against Fulham represents a missed opportunity for Arsenal, who could have closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points. With Liverpool's match against Everton postponed, the Gunners had a chance to gain ground on their title rivals. Ultimately, they were unable to capitalize on this opportunity, and the two-point gap remains a source of frustration for Arteta's side.