Fulham were bad neighbours today to Arsenal! The Craven Cottage crew managed to defend their home turf and snatch a point against the Gunners, who missed the opportunity to move closer to the leading position, held by Liverpool. Marco Silva’s men turned their only first-half chance into a goal over Raul Jimenez, exploiting one of the worst halves Arsenal have played since the season started.The Gunners opened the second period with more energy and levelled quickly through William Saliba after a corner, but that was not enough to triumph. The last chance was Bukayo Saka’s 87th-minute disallowed goal – 1-1.6 – Arsenal haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last six Premier League away games; their joint-longest run without one during Mikel Arteta’s time in charge. Stung. pic.twitter.com/g4cKOhpFhZ— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 8, 2024 The opening part of the game was utterly under Arsenal’s control, as the Cottagers could not leave their penalty area. However, the first time they made it – they scored! Kenny Tete sent a timely through ball for Raul Jimenez, who escaped Jakub Kiwior and found David Raya’s bottom right corner, making it 1-0 with his fifth goal of the season and the first after October 19!Golazo de Jiménez. Al momento de desmarcarse corrió una ruta digna de Justin Jefferson o Amari Cooper. pic.twitter.com/zDW0HO9k49— Dave Rangel M. (@Dav_RangelM) December 8, 2024 Even though the Gunners rushed towards Fulham’s goal in pursuit of an equalizer, Mikel Arteta’s men noted only one attempt on target. The Cottagers were ready for all the visitors’ set-piece combinations as their former custodian, Bernd Leno, easily collected all the crosses. Apart from a few futile Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka’s shots, the Gunners failed in everything they tried, putting in one of the worst performances since the beginning of the season.Mr Set Piece – Arsenal’s unsung heroStill, when you allow Arsenal five corners, you can hardly expect them not to threaten, and Fulham acknowledged that seven minutes into the second half! Rice took the corner kick, Kai Havertz headed the ball for William Saliba, and the Frenchman took no prisoners from close range, making it 1-1!🚨🏴 GOAL | Fulham 1-1 Arsenal | William SalibaWILLIAM SALIBA HAS EQUALIZED FOR ARSENAL !!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/4vUS4aXL33— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) December 8, 2024 After the leveller, the Gunners’ pressure became immense, as the Cottagers barely got out of their half of the field. Twenty minutes before the end, another Rice’s corner brought a new colossal chance to Arsenal, but Thomas Partey was wide with a close-range header.Arsenal are the first side in Europe’s top five leagues to create 10+ big chances from set pieces in the league in 2024/25. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/L1B3UJzV1l— Squawka (@Squawka) December 8, 2024 Having seen that the clock was ticking, Arteta subbed in two Gabriels – Martinelli and Jesus, as well as Ethan Nwaneri, all to try to improve his team’s offensive play. And it worked! In the 87th minute, the Gunners even netted over Saka, but their potential winner was disallowed since Martinelli who assisted was caught offside.Fulham managed to defend the draw until the end and win a valuable point, while Arsenal once again disappointed their fans, failing to win the match they had to if they want to be title contenders and catch Liverpool in the leading spot. Corners did help today, but set pieces are far from enough when you lack creativity in offense.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 15Saturday Everton – Liverpool POSTPONEDAston Villa – Southampton 1-0 (1-0)/Duran 24/Brentford – Newcastle 4-2 (2-2)/Mbeumo 8, Wissa 28, Collins 56, Schade 90 – Isak 11, Barnes 32/Crystal Palace – Manchester City 2-2 (1-1)/Munoz 4, Lacroix 56 – Haaland 30, Lewis 68/Manchester United – Nott. Forest 2-3 (1-1)/Hojlund 18, Fernandes 61 – Milenkovic 2, Gibbs-White 47, Wood 54/Sunday Fulham – Arsenal 1-1 (1-0)/Jimenez 11 – Saliba 52/Ipswich – Bournemouth 1-2 (1-0)/Chaplin 21 – Unal 88, Outtara 90+5/Leicester – Brighton 2-2 (0-1)/Vardy 87, De Cordova-Reid 90+1 – Lamptey 37, Minteh 79/19.30: (3.20) Tottenham (4.00) Chelsea (2.15)Monday23.00: (1.95) West Ham (3.60) Wolverhampton (4.20)***odds are subject to change***
