William Saliba’s goal in the second half, assisted by another corner from Declan Rice, secured a hard-fought draw against Fulham in a challenging London derby characterized by rainy conditions.
Initially, Arsenal found themselves trailing at halftime after Raul Jimenez scored the only goal of the first half for Fulham following their first attack. The hosts capitalized on a swift counter, with Jimenez finishing neatly from a precise pass by Kenny Tete.
Despite having significant possession, Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances. Bernd Leno, Fulham’s goalkeeper and a former Arsenal player, made crucial saves from attempts by Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Arsenal’s persistence paid off in the second half when Saliba found the net, converting a header from Kai Havertz after a corner. The goal was confirmed after a VAR check showed Saliba was onside.
The pace of the game picked up as Arsenal sought a winner. Although they had multiple opportunities, including another chance for Thomas Partey, frustration continued as a late goal from Saka was disallowed after a VAR review.
Currently, Arsenal sits six points behind Liverpool in the Premier League standings, although they remain in contention. The team’s focus now shifts to their Champions League encounter against AS Monaco at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League match against Everton next weekend.
In summary, while the draw may feel disappointing, it highlights Arsenal’s resilience and ability to respond after setbacks, laying the groundwork for upcoming matches. Fans can look forward to an exciting week as the team aims to regain momentum both domestically and in Europe.