The match is over and the final score is Fulham 1-1 Arsenal. High-flying Fulham could go ahead after the Cottagers took an early 1-0 lead against visiting Arsenal at Craven Cottage.
Eredivisie 2024/2025
1-1
- Jimenez (11')
- Willem Saliba (52')
Match report
Another set piece, Ole Ole.
The new favorite chant for Arsenal fans was shouted once again in the away match at Craven Cottage – William Saliba's 52nd minute tap-in further cemented their 'corner kings' label in the Prem.
However, on this occasion it wasn't enough for victory as more points fell in this intriguing and unpredictable title race just as the Gunners started to build some momentum.
Saliba's second goal in two games – after another corner in the 2-0 win over Manchester United in midweek – canceled out an 11th-minute goal from Raul Jimenez.
It was a difficult away game for Arsenal, almost saved by an 89th-minute winner from Bukayo Saka, before VAR heartbreakingly discovered offside in the build-up.
A run of four wins on the spin in all competitions has been halted. Six points behind leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand after the postponement of the Merseyside derby.
Even boss Mikel Arteta now has to admit that the Reds are big favourites. This is their title to throw away, especially with Manchester City floundering and Chelsea still an unknown candidate.
They top the goalscoring charts – now 23 goals from corners since the start of the 2022/2023 season and seven this season – but Arsenal still lack that extra edge needed to get over the line when it matters most.
Arteta says he wants his boys to be the 'kings of everything'. They are still some way from achieving that.
As for Fulham, they are now unbeaten in their last nine London derbies and can start dreaming of qualifying for Europe next year. What a job Marco Silva is doing in West London.
Jimenez was one of four changes made by the Portuguese coach after being dropped for the 3-1 win over Brighton in midweek.
Arteta also shook his backpack, but not of his own free will. Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori were absent again and Oleksandr Zinchenko also dropped out with a punch.
It was not the first time this season that Arsenal's back four had been improvised as a result. Thomas Partey re-entered at right-back, while Jakub Kiwior remained at center back alongside William Saliba.
Still, the visitors performed well after their recent masterclass in which they defeated Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates – and secured their first corner within the opening three minutes.
The away players sang their set-piece chant, only to see their dead-ball specialists struggle to produce more golden moments within the first 45 minutes.
Fulham, unlike United, had done their homework and been prepared, sacrificing three players to act as blockers at the front post while Adama Traore marked a wandering Saliba.
And perhaps the weather from Storm Darragh played a role, something Arteta claimed would require some adjustment before the match.
But given Arsenal's control early on, there was no panic from the bench. That was until Jimenez was put behind after a rare Fulham foray forward.
The Polish Kiwior international started consecutive Prem games at centre-back for the first time since May 2023 and had previously been subbed off at half-time in a damaging 2-1 defeat at this venue 12 months ago.
And he was at fault again, allowing Mexican big Jimenez to push home a long ball from Leno with little challenge before turning it behind after an unspectacular pass from Tete.
The finish was brilliant though, with one touch to settle the score and another to fire a helpless David Raya into the far side netting for his first goal in seven games.
In the miserable wind and rain that engulfed the Cottage, Arsenal's initial calm had disappeared. Their play became irregular as they tried to stage a comeback.
Partey drove forward and lost possession, giving Traore the opportunity to almost sneak Jimenez back in after only a fine recovery tackle from Saliba.
They were soon back in their dominant groove. Bukayo Saka's cross almost found Kai Havertz's head, apart from Calvin Bassey's timely interception.
Leandro Trossard then turned supplier, putting balls on a plate for Saka and Declan Rice. The first pushed his high into the stands, the latter hit his just wide.
Fulham seemed content to cut in and hold on as half-time approached, with Bernd Leno rarely called into action and their defensive block doing its job to suppress and frustrate.
Seven minutes into the second half, as the weather deteriorated, it was Silva's turn to feel frustrated as Arsenal's corner routine came to fruition at the fifth attempt.
Rice's delivery was whipped and dangerous towards the back post. Havertz glanced back into the six-yard box and Saliba – left unmarked for the first time – poked into an empty net.
The wild celebrations were briefly stopped by the VAR. At first glance it looked like the Frenchman had wandered offside, but Antonee Robinson's bright white boot stopped him.
Saliba relished the chance for a second celebration, while Arteta responded on the hour mark by bringing on Gabriel Martinelli for Trossard.
Arsenal bombarded Fulham's penalty area with their one true love: crosses, corners and free kicks. In the 69th minute, Partey should have given his team the lead with a free header from a Rice pick-out.
The hosts then reminded themselves of their strengths on the counter: Andreas Pereira stormed away with a shot that was fired low at Raya's legs.
Things could have been so different in the final few minutes had Martinelli's foot not been offside by an inch before his cross beat Saka to the back post. The VAR was the party pooper again.
Competition events
0' The match is about to start!
0' Ewaneri is on
3' Cross from Saka blocked by defender
3' Saliba header wide
11' Raúl Jiménez puts Fulham ahead with a brilliant strike!! Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
13' Rice's shot flies into the air
23' Saka gives the ball to Leno
24' Declan Rice's shot from outside the penalty area goes wide
32' match event for Fulham vs Arsenal
37' Powerful shot from Saka
39' Rice misses a golden opportunity!
49' David Raya makes an excellent save
53' Another Arsenal goal from William Saliba from a corner! Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
57' Trossard's shot saved by Leno!
62' Havertz's shot went wide
68' Highlight of Fulham vs Arsenal
70' Chance from corner! Partey's header went wide
71' From the post!
78' Rice's shot is too straight
90' Saka header from the right side of the penalty area to the center of the goal, but offside
Setups
Fulham XI: Leno, Jimenez, Tete, Traore, Iwobi, Lukic, Diop, Berge, Antonee Robinson, Smith Rowe, Calvin Bassey
Subs: Pereira, Castagne, Harry Wilson, Steven Benda, Sessegnon, Jorge Cuenca, Rodrigo Muniz, Martial Godo, Joshua King
Arsenal XI: Trossard, Jorginho, Partey, David Raya, Martin Ødegaard, Rice, Havertz, William Saliba, Saka, Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber
Subs: Neto, Sterling, Tierney, Merino, Jesus, Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ayden Heaven
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