Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment following Arsenal’s draw against Fulham, feeling his team deserved more from the performance. While the Gunners dominated possession, registering 70%, they found it challenging to convert their chances into goals. After Raúl Jiménez gave Fulham the lead in the first half, defender William Saliba equalized for Arsenal with a well-executed set-piece in the 52nd minute.
Arteta stated, “Gutted that we didn’t win it. We fully deserved to win it,” emphasizing the quality of the opposition that made the draw easier to accept. Despite generating numerous chances, including a late effort from Bukayo Saka that was ruled offside by VAR, Arsenal couldn’t find the winning goal. “We did almost everything that we had to do to win it … For millimetres, we could have been here with a really dominant win,” he added.
The draw leaves Arsenal in third place in the Premier League standings, trailing behind Chelsea by two points and six points behind league leaders Liverpool. Arteta acknowledged the challenge of facing a determined Fulham side, which had previously troubled Arsenal in their encounters last season.
He also defended his makeshift defense, which had to cope without injured regular Gabriel Magalhães, praising the performance of Jakub Kiwior who stepped in to fill the gap. “Sometimes you have to praise the opposition,” Arteta remarked, highlighting the need for his team to adapt and respond positively to challenges.
Despite the setback, there is a sense of resilience within the squad, and Arteta remains optimistic about their chances moving forward. With continued effort and focus on their attacking play, Arsenal is poised to push for success in the league.
In summary, Arsenal’s struggle to secure a win against Fulham reflects both the challenges of the Premier League and the competitiveness of their rivals. The Gunners remain in a strong position and will be looking to capitalize on future opportunities to improve their standings.