Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Fulham on New Year’s Eve meant that they were unable to finish 2023 as the Premier League’s leaders.
The Gunners would have moved up in the standings, ahead of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa, with a victory at Craven Cottage.
However, following an early strike by Bukayo Saka, goals by Bobby Decordova-Reid and Raul Jimenez kept Mikel Arteta’s team in fourth position.
Raul Jimenez is shown here celebrating his goal for Fulham on New Year’s Eve at Craven Cottage versus Arsenal.
After Bernard Leno had stopped a shot from Gabriel Martinelli in the fifth minute, Saka bundled home a rebound from close range to give the Gunners an incredible start.
However, right before the break, Fulham equalized through a goal from Mexico’s Jimenez, who scored his fourth goal in three games, after Tom Cairney sent in a low cross.
Then, in the 59th minute, Fulham took the lead after Arsenal mishandled their attempt to save a corner kick from Willian.
The ball was deflected backward by Declan Rice. The ball then bobbled invitingly into the path of Cordova-Reid after Gabriel’s attempted clearance struck Takehiro Tomiyasu. Reid then hammered home a shot from the edge of the six-yard box.
After losing to West Ham and Aston Villa earlier in December and drawing at Liverpool, Arsenal has now surrendered 11 points in their previous five Premier League games.
