William Saliba’s goal in the second half, following a corner taken by Declan Rice, secured a draw for Arsenal in a challenging London derby marked by rainy and windy conditions. Saliba found the net after Kai Havertz’s header was redirected toward him.
Arsenal entered halftime trailing 1-0 after Raul Jimenez scored for Fulham with their only shot on target during the first half. The Mexican forward took advantage of a swift counterattack to beat Arsenal’s defense and finish well past goalkeeper David Raya.
In the opening minutes, Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances into goals. Despite several attempts, including a close call from Bukayo Saka’s header that was ruled offside after a VAR review, they were unable to break through Fulham’s defense.
Fulham struck first with a quick transition from their defense to attack that caught Arsenal off guard. Jimenez’s goal served as an early wake-up call for the Gunners, who then worked to regain control of the game.
As the second half progressed, Arsenal increased their tempo. A free-kick from Rice nearly led to another goal, but a missed connection from Thomas Partey halted the momentum. However, another corner set the stage for Saliba’s equalizer, which stood after a VAR check confirmed he was onside.
The match opened up towards the end, with both teams generating late chances. After a strong performance from the substitutes, including Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal aimed to clinch a late winner, but VAR denied Saka’s late goal, confirming he was offside.
The draw leaves Arsenal trailing Liverpool by six points in the standings, at least until the conclusion of Sunday’s games. The team will look to bounce back as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League match against AS Monaco at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League fixture against Everton next weekend.
In summary, while the result may feel disappointing, Arsenal demonstrated resilience and the ability to recover from an early setback. Their strong possession game and fighting spirit suggest positive things for the seasons ahead, as they look to build momentum in both domestic and international competitions.