Arsenal Title Hopes Dented as Saliba Salvages a Draw
Arsenal’s ambitions to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool suffered a setback after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. A win would have brought the Gunners within four points of the Reds, but they now sit six points adrift, leaving their title aspirations in jeopardy.
Despite dominating the game, holding Fulham to just two shots and 34 percent possession, Arsenal fell behind early. Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for Fulham 11 minutes into the game, latching onto Kenny Tete’s pass and slotting the ball past David Raya. Arsenal’s struggles to find an equalizer persisted throughout the first half until William Saliba finally leveled the score eight minutes into the second period, capitalizing on a set-piece.
The Gunners thought they had secured victory when Bukayo Saka headed in a cross from Gabriel Martinelli, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside. The result leaves Arsenal with much to ponder as their quest for the Premier League title becomes increasingly challenging.
Title Hopes Dented
Arsenal entered the match with the chance to narrow Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just four points. Despite Liverpool having a game in hand, a victory would have bolstered Arsenal’s confidence.
Instead, manager Mikel Arteta faces the frustration of a fifth league draw this season, with his team now trailing the leaders by six points. Liverpool can extend their advantage to nine points if they defeat Fulham at Anfield next week, a scenario that would further diminish Arsenal’s hopes of ending their two-decade title drought.
Troubling Trend
Raul Jimenez’s opening goal highlighted a recurring issue for Arsenal—conceding first. The Gunners have now fallen behind in five of their last 11 matches, a sharp contrast to the 30-plus games it previously took to reach that mark.
While injuries to key defenders have played a role, the backline at Craven Cottage was expected to handle Fulham’s attack more effectively. Jimenez’s goal, stemming from a straightforward ball forward, underscored defensive vulnerabilities that Arsenal must urgently address.
Set-Pieces Come to Arsenal’s Rescue
Arsenal’s set-piece prowess, a key talking point after their win over Manchester United, came to the fore once again. Fulham’s defensive strategy initially stymied Arsenal’s set-piece attempts, but their resistance faltered seven minutes into the second half.
Kai Havertz’s header across the goal created an opportunity for William Saliba, who tapped the ball in after Antonee Robinson failed to clear the danger. Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces underscores the need for more creativity in open play.
Lack of Ambition Costs Fulham
While Fulham took the lead early, their conservative approach hindered their chances of a more favorable result. After Jimenez’s goal, Marco Silva’s side adopted a defensive posture, rarely testing Arsenal’s backline.
Fulham managed just 34 percent possession and two shots throughout the match, failing to capitalize on Arsenal’s defensive frailties. Their lack of ambition ultimately allowed the Gunners to dictate the game, even if Arsenal struggled to convert dominance into goals.
Arsenal’s Blunt Attack
Despite controlling the game, Arsenal’s attack lacked sharpness outside of set-pieces. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno faced minimal threats from open play as Arsenal mustered just four shots on target.
This attacking inefficiency highlights a persistent issue for the Gunners. If Arsenal are to mount a serious title challenge, addressing their need for a clinical striker may become a January transfer window priority. Teams deploying defensive tactics, as Fulham did, seem to neutralize Arsenal’s offensive efforts with relative ease.
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