Fulham 2 Arsenal 1
It was a London derby at Craven Cottage as Fulham welcomed Arsenal to West London. The Gunners had missed the chance to go top of the table in midweek as they lost to West Ham at The Emirates but would have the chance to rectify it this time.
Marco Silva’s side had not scored a single goal in their last three league games so facing an Arsenal defence that has been questionable of late, could prove the perfect tonic. It was a packed house for the visit of the champions-elect.
Odegaard had the first chance of the game as he dispossessed Robinson in his own box and cut back onto his left-foot to try and bend one in the top corner. The Norwegian had not got his eye in yet as it whistled wide of the goal.
Arsenal then broke as a Fulham attack broke down and with Castagne still further up the pitch, Martinelli had acres of space to work with. He drove into the box and cut onto his right foot and looked to bend one in the far corner but Leno got a good hand to it.
Credit: @premierleague
Sadly for the hosts it ricocheted to Saka, who reacted quickly, with his shot looping into the far corner to put the visitors ahead. It was the perfect start for Mikel Arteta’s side who were looking to get back to the top of the table.
With Willian back fit for Fulham, he looked a constant threat and they managed to work the ball to an unmarked Jimenez but his shot was easily saved by Raya. Robinson and Jimenez then combined to find Iwobi out wide. His cross found Willian but his curling effort went just wide of the top corner of the goal.
Bassey then robbed Saka of the ball before Cairney found Willian. He threaded it back down the wing to Cairney who crossed to find Jimenez, striking it past Raya on the half volley to draw the hosts level just before the half hour mark.
The Gunners bought Rice to offer more protection to the Arsenal defence but it seems like building a wall across a small portion of USA/Mexico border and expecting it to deter people from crossing the remainder you have not covered.
Arteta’s side had the chance to take the lead as Odegaard found Martinelli in the box but his effort was always curling away from goal as it narrowly missed the far post with Leno rooted to the spot, just acting as a spectator.
Fulham started to apply more pressure in the second half and to say Arsenal defended the barrage of crosses well would just be a lie. They look disjointed in defence, more holes than a Ryder Cup tournament, arguing amongst themselves as they gave away a series of corners.
Credit: @premierleague
One such corner was crossed in and the visitors failed to clear their lines and as the second ball ricocheted off players, it dropped to De Cordova-Reid who drilled the ball into the roof of the net before Raya could even react.
The Cottagers took the lead in the game with still over half an hour to play. The Gunners were looking such a mess at the back the hosts seemed more likely to score the next goal. Craven Cottage was bouncing as the fans celebrated.
As Martinelli crossed into the box, it was headed straight up in the air by the Fulham defence and fell on the volley to an unmarked Saka at the back post. With all the time in the world he volleyed his effort so far over the bar, Owen Farrell would have been proud of it.
Cairney then struck a left-footed shot from outside the box and Raya saved with an acrobatic one-handed save. As the rain started to pour down in West London it acted as a great metaphor for just how Mikel Arteta was feeling.
Trossard whipped a dangerous ball across the six yard box but neither Jesus nor Gabriel were attacking it enough to get the much needed touch. Here lies one of The Gunners problems, no recognised striker hungry for goals.
Saka was then slotted into the box but his next move was as predictable as the British weather as Palhinha slid in to block the left-footed shot. Saliba was lucky to stay on the pitch as he hauled down Wilson who seemed to be clean through on goal.
Fortunately for Arsenal the referee only awarded a yellow card but some thought he deserved red. Pereira took the free kick and saw his shot come thundering back off the crossbar and back into play with the visitors taking a sigh of relief.
Marco Silva’s side held on for the three points and Arsenal yet again missed the chance to go top of the Premier League table. It is now two defeats on the bounce for Mikel Arteta’s side and they look far from title contenders from what we have seen of late.
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