William Saliba salvaged a point for his team with a crucial goal in the second half, earning a draw in a challenging London derby marked by wet weather conditions. The defender capitalized on Kai Havertz’s header following a corner delivered by Declan Rice, finding himself perfectly positioned to score early in the second half.
The match began poorly for the visitors, as Raul Jimenez put Fulham ahead with a well-executed finish after their first real attack of the game. Despite dominating possession in the opening minutes, Arsenal struggled to penetrate Fulham’s defense, with Bernd Leno, one of three former Arsenal players in the Fulham lineup, making key saves to keep his team in the lead.
As the game progressed, Arsenal continued to push, maintaining possession but unable to break through Fulham’s defensive setup. The rainy conditions shifted momentum in the second half, prompting a more urgent attack from Arsenal. Declan Rice’s corner-kick routine bore fruit once again when Saliba converted a goal that passed VAR scrutiny, keeping hope alive for his team.
Late in the match, both teams had opportunities, but Arsenal was denied a second goal when Bukayo Saka’s late header from a Martinelli cross was ruled offside after a VAR check, frustrating the visitors who viewed the goal as a potential game-winner.
With this draw, Arsenal finds themselves six points behind Liverpool, currently in second place, with upcoming fixtures in the Champions League against AS Monaco and a Premier League matchup against Everton on the horizon.
This performance, despite the disappointment of not securing all three points, showcases the resilience and fighting spirit of the team. As they prepare for their next challenges, there’s a sense of optimism that their attacking strategies can lead to eventual success, fueling hopes for a strong finish to the season.