It was – you guessed it – a corner that brought Arsenal back into the match against Fulham and earned the visitors a point. Not quite good enough when the likes of Liverpool are reigning at the top of the Premier League, although defeat can still be avoided.
From a broader perspective, the match highlighted an issue that Mikel Arteta must quickly get to grips with before the title slips away.
Arsenal have used nine different backlines in their 15 Premier League games so far this season. Such chopping and changing was inevitable due to the injuries and knocks Arteta's team has suffered. The result is a lack of continuity and coherence.
Understanding where a teammate will be in different phases of play or learning individual playing styles across the back four are clearly hampered.
Jakub Kiwior played well against Manchester United in his first competition start this season. The Gunners triumphed 2-0 and Kiwior withstood Rasmus Hojlund's pressure, which was clearly aimed at him.
With William Saliba alongside him, the Pole was the obvious potential route through the Gunners' backline. That evening he resolutely stayed in position and did not give an inch in duels, even though he was not the favorite.
Frankly, the telepathy that Saliba and Gabriel share is largely unparalleled. It's arguably the best centre-back partnership in the league right now.
Both players complement each other well: Saliba's calmness and positional awareness combined with Gabriel's physical dominance.
It would be unfair to expect Kiwior to suddenly step into the starting lineup after weeks of being on the bench and fit in seamlessly. But as we see today even as a backup central defender, there was a difference in level.
Kiwior had to do better for Raul Jimenez's goal after eleven minutes. He watched as Kenny Tete's clever through ball caught him off guard and Jimenez hit an impressive finish on half-time.
Although he wasn't solely to blame for the goal – Saliba could have crossed quicker to cover his teammate – Kiwior were not at the races in the same way as on Wednesday night.
His positioning was mixed, giving the Cottagers hope of counter-attacking. He wasn't the only defensive player who was occasionally caught out of position.
Thomas Partey had started just three times in the league at right-back this season before Sunday – a position he has occasionally stepped into when necessary.
The Ghanaian has been impressive in the middle of the park, but he is not the same player at right-back.
His lack of pace for a full-back means he cannot move up and down the wing like Arsenal's other defenders, such as Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, can.
The need for Arteta to play against Kiwior if Gabriel or Saliba are injured, and Calafiori, who can play as a centre-back, is understandable.
But playing Partey at right-back can be avoided. By placing Jurrien Timber there – the left flank is not his best position anyway – Partey could remain in midfield.
And then the promising 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly could come in at left back. It would be a big move for him, but as seen on Arsenal's pre-season tour, he has the temperament and talent.
Away from defence, the Gunners' attack was far from satisfactory. They had a lot of ball possession, but few chances on goal.
That is also a problem, but after five goals against Sporting Lisbon and West Ham, for the time being it is the defensive conundrum that Arteta must solve quickly.
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