Fulham’s Strong Defensive Display
Fulham’s defense was the story of the first half, as they managed to keep Arsenal at bay despite some sustained pressure. The hosts took the lead just before the break when a well-executed set piece found Andreas Pereira, whose header deflected into the net for the opening goal. Arsenal, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm in the final third, with a few half-chances coming and going.
However, Fulham did little to threaten Arsenal after the break. Their second-half xG of just 0.14 reflected their lack of attacking intent, with Pereira’s tame shot from distance being easily saved by Gunners goalkeeper David Raya. Fulham focused on defending their slim lead, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to secure all three points.
Arsenal’s Response and Saliba’s Equalizer
Mikel Arteta’s men came out with renewed urgency after the break, and it didn’t take long for them to get back on level terms. Seven minutes into the second half, Arsenal’s persistence paid off when William Saliba finished from close range following a well-worked corner routine. It was the perfect response to going behind and gave the visitors the momentum they needed to push for the winner.
Arsenal’s dominance in possession saw them carve out several opportunities, with Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Thomas Partey, and Declan Rice all coming close to putting the Gunners in front. However, the final touch was missing as Fulham's defense held firm, led by a man-of-the-match performance from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who produced several key saves to keep his team in the game.
Saka Denied Late Winner by VAR
The game appeared to be heading for a late Arsenal winner when Bukayo Saka thought he had secured all three points with a header from Gabriel Martinelli’s cross in the 88th minute. The away fans erupted as Saka’s header flew into the net, but VAR intervened to rule the goal out for offside in the build-up. Despite protests from Arsenal players and supporters, the decision stood, leaving the Gunners with only a point to show for their efforts.
Fulham’s Impressive Derby Record
The result extended Fulham’s unbeaten run in London derbies to nine matches (W4 D5), their longest such streak since September 2001. They’ve proven to be a tough opponent for their local rivals, and this draw against Arsenal means they remain in the top half of the table, albeit now in 10th place after other results went against them.
Arsenal’s Road Woes Continue
For Arsenal, the result continues a concerning trend of underwhelming away performances. Since a strong start to the season with 10 wins in their first 11 away games, the Gunners have only managed one victory in their last six league trips (D3 L2). This draw means that Arsenal are still six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, having played a game more than their rivals.
Moreover, it’s also worth noting that Arsenal have struggled to come back from a halftime deficit on the road. Under Arteta, they’ve only won once in 24 away games when trailing at halftime (D5 L18), a stat that highlights their difficulty in turning games around away from home.
The Bigger Picture
While a point may seem a decent result on paper, Arsenal will be frustrated by their inability to break down Fulham and grab a crucial three points in the title race. The draw leaves them second in the table, still within reach of Liverpool, but with questions about their away form and consistency, particularly in tough fixtures.
Fulham, on the other hand, will be pleased with their performance, having shown great resilience to hold onto their first-half lead, even if their attacking play was limited. The point earned against one of the league's top teams will provide them with confidence heading into their next fixtures.
Arsenal will look to bounce back in their next away game, but Arteta will need to find a way to address his team’s struggles on the road if they are to maintain their challenge at the top of the table.
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