William Saliba scored a second-half equalizer during a challenging London derby against Fulham, securing a 1-1 draw in adverse weather conditions. The defender capitalized on a corner taken by Declan Rice, converting a header from Kai Havertz just after the halftime break.
Fulham had taken the lead earlier in the match when Raul Jimenez scored with the hosts’ lone shot on target in the first half. Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to convert their opportunities into goals. Bukayo Saka nearly put Arsenal ahead late in the game with a header off a cross from Gabriel Martinelli, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.
The match began with Arsenal applying pressure on Fulham, creating several corners, but it was Fulham’s first attacking move that led to the opening goal. Jimenez’s well-placed shot found the bottom corner, catching Arsenal off guard. Despite maintaining control of the game and creating various chances, Arsenal could not find the back of the net until Saliba’s equalizer.
In the second half, the urgency increased for Arsenal as they sought a winning goal. Another corner from Rice found Thomas Partey, but he could not capitalize. Fulham managed to threaten with counter-attacks, though Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya made crucial saves to keep the game level.
Despite the frustration of a disallowed goal late in the second half, the draw keeps Arsenal in the hunt, positioned six points behind Liverpool in the league standings.
Looking forward, Arsenal will shift their focus to the Champions League this Wednesday, where they will host AS Monaco at the Emirates Stadium, followed by a Premier League clash against Everton next Saturday.
This match showcased Arsenal’s resilience, with significant positive takeaways, especially in the second half. With key players like Saliba and Rice making an impact, there is reason to remain optimistic as the season progresses. The team’s ability to bounce back, coupled with upcoming fixtures, could provide vital momentum moving forward.