Arsenal’s recent draw against Fulham has left manager Mikel Arteta feeling disappointed despite acknowledging the quality of the opposition. After the match at Craven Cottage, where defender William Saliba equalized with a set-piece in the second half, Arteta expressed his frustration that his team did not secure all three points.
Arsenal dominated possession with 70% and created numerous goal-scoring chances, yet a late strike by Bukayo Saka was ruled out for offside, leading Arteta to reflect, “For millimetres we could have been here with a really dominant win.” He emphasized the necessity for his team to convert their chances, stating, “It’s never enough if you don’t score three, four or five.”
Despite the disappointing result, Arteta praised both the resilience of his makeshift defense and the performance of Jakub Kiwior, who replaced the injured Gabriel Magalhães. He noted that sometimes, one must recognize the quality of the opponent, saying, “I cannot promise you with different personnel it wouldn’t happen.”
The draw positions Arsenal third in the Premier League table, two points adrift of Chelsea and six behind league leaders Liverpool. While the result may feel like a setback, it also showcases the potential of Arsenal’s attacking prowess and the depth of their squad, which can be a source of optimism moving forward.
This display indicates that Arsenal is capable of competing at the highest level and suggests that with some adjustments, they could turn draws into victories and mount a serious title challenge. If they can maintain their performance levels while improving their finishing, there is every reason to believe they can climb back up the table in the coming matches.