In a match that ended in a 1-1 draw, Arsenal will feel they deserved all three points against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Gunners, managed by Mikel Arteta, dominated possession with 67%, showcasing their attacking prowess, especially in the second half where they registered seven shots on target. Fulham, on the other hand, struggled to make an impact, managing only one shot in the entire second half.
Raúl Jiménez opened the scoring for Fulham in the 11th minute, against the run of play. The goal was notable as it marked Jiménez’s fifth of the season and his 52nd career goal in the Premier League, placing him just one goal behind Javier Hernández for the most by a Mexican player.
Arsenal equalized seven minutes into the second half through William Saliba, who capitalized on a corner kick set-piece played by Declan Rice. This goal highlighted Arsenal’s strength in set pieces, as they have scored the most goals from corners in the Premier League since the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
As the match neared its conclusion, Bukayo Saka thought he had clinched the win with a late header, but VAR intervened, ruling the goal out due to Gabriel Martinelli being offside in the buildup. This disappointment means that Arsenal’s record remains bleak when trailing at halftime in away Premier League games under Arteta—only converting one out of their last 24 such matches into wins.
The match statistics reveal a clear dominance by Arsenal, especially in set pieces, having scored 15 goals from corners this year and overall 20 goals from set pieces in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Fulham’s only other shot during the match further highlighted their struggles, tying their record for fewest home shots in a Premier League match.
In summary, the match underscored Arsenal’s ongoing issues in converting dominant performances into victories, while Fulham will take heart from securing a point despite a lack of offensive threat. With the data available, fans and analysts can delve deeper into the match’s dynamics to explore the patterns that might shape upcoming matches for both teams.
Amidst the disappointment, Arsenal fans can take comfort in their team’s attacking statistics and set-piece capabilities. With continued focus on converting chances, they can still look forward to a promising season ahead.