Although the Gunners have only triumphed once in their previous five league games, they did take the lead when Bukayo Saka scored from close range after Bernd Leno had stopped Gabriel Martinelli’s blistering effort. However, the hosts rallied and were rewarded for their persistent pressure when Raul Jimenez scored the equalizer at the back post.
After a tussle after a corner, the ball dropped to Bobby Decordova-Reid, and the attacker shot past David Raya to give Fulham the lead. Mirror Football examines the top five talking points following yet another humiliating loss for Mikel Arteta’s team.
Title challenge at risk
After the loss to West Ham, manager Arteta would have been hopeful that his team’s trip to a struggling Fulham team would provide an opportunity to get their title bid back on track. However, at Craven Cottage, the Gunners were far from their best.
Their inability to overwhelm the hosts and their poor defending for Fulham’s equalizer and winner both proved to be costly mistakes. It is reasonable to conclude that their title challenge is seriously jeopardized, even though they are only two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Compared to when they played the same number of games the previous season, the Gunners are 10 points worse off. Tottenham’s victory over Bournemouth puts them just one point behind their fierce rivals, but Liverpool can increase their advantage over Arteta’s team to five points by defeating Newcastle on Monday.
A certain amount of good fortune was involved as Bernd Lenos successfully stopped Gabriel Martinelli’s piercing shot. Saka nearly put it over the bar, but he was ready to shoot into an empty net.
Saka was relieved that the ball found its way in, giving the Gunners the lead after just four minutes. The 22-year-old’s performance was far better, and his goal-scoring feat gives him confidence.
Attacking issues laid bare
When Eddie Nketiah was given the opportunity to start up front, he struggled.(Photo: Getty Images / David Price/Arsenal FC)
Gabriel Jesus was benched against Fulham in favor of Eddie Nketiah, who started the game, after he wasted numerous opportunities in the loss to West Ham. However, Nketiah did little to allay the notion that Arsenal is in dire need of a striker who can score goals.
The Englishman hardly had an effect on the match, touching the ball twice in Fulham’s area. He had only one shot on goal against Fulham’s Calvin Bassey and Tosin, their center defensive combo, as he struggled mightily.
