Match report
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal saw their flawless start to the campaign brought to a surprise end on Saturday afternoon, at the hands of Fulham.
The Gunners marked their return to action a short time ago, welcoming Marco Silva’s side to The Emirates with sights on a 3rd successive Premier League victory.
When all was said and done, however, a hit-and-miss display saw Arteta and co. forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
It was Fulham who opened the scoring in the clash, when Bukayo Saka’s carelessness in possession allowed Andreas Pereira to direct a long-distance effort beyond Aaron Ramsdale, who too failed to cover himself in glory:
From here, Arsenal toiled in their efforts to level things up, until a double substitution swung momentum firmly in favour of the hosts.
After Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira were introduced to the fray, the latter first won a spot-kick, converted with aplomb by Bukayo Saka.
Just when it looked as though Arsenal had grasped control of the clash, and with Fulham down to ten men owing to the dismissal of Calvin Bassey, though, a final twist in the tale was forthcoming.
This came three minutes from time, when Bobby Decordova-Reid’s whipped corner from the right was swept home by the imperious Joao Palhinha.
And this is how things remained through the final whistle, on a day which saw Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes dealt an early blow.
Player Ratings
Arsenal
- Aaron Ramsdale – 5
- Thomas Partey – 6
- Ben White – 5.5
- William Saliba – 6
- Jakub Kiwior – 5
- Martin Odegaard – 6.5
- Declan Rice – 7
- Kai Havertz – 4.5
- Bukayo Saka – 7
- Leandro Trossard – 4.5
- Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Substitutes: Eddie Nketiah – 8, Fabio Vieira – 8.5, Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
Fulham
- Bernd Leno – 6
- Kenny Tete – 5.5
- Issa Diop – 7
- Calvin Bassey – 4.5
- Antonee Robinson – 6
- Joao Palhinha – 8
- Sasa Lukic – 5.5
- Andreas Pereira – 6.5
- Harry Wilson – 5
- Bobby Decordova-Reid – 5.5
- Raul Jimenez – 6.5
Substitutes: Tom Cairney – 5.5, Harrison Reed – 6, Adama Traore – 5, Tosin Adarabioyo – N/A
Fan reaction & stat roundup
Bukayo Saka has played in 83 consecutive Premier League games for Arsenal, setting a new club record for the longest streak of uninterrupted appearances in the competition.
This Starboy is made of steel. pic.twitter.com/mwupTi8Ebi
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 26, 2023
1 – Arsenal are the first team in Premier League history to concede a first minute goal three times in a single calendar year. Oddity. https://t.co/AobeQip2kk
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 26, 2023
Incredible pass this by Havertz…
— Futbol Chelsea (@FutbolCheIsea) August 26, 2023
Yeah I’m sorry after seeing the way Vieira has made a difference here Havertz shouldn’t be touching the pitch for a while.
— James. (@afcjxmes) August 26, 2023
◉ 56′ Subbed on
◉ 70′ Wins a penalty
◉ 72′ Assists Eddie NketiahWhat an impact from Fabio Vieira. 👏#ARSFUL pic.twitter.com/fVzW8wiFWe
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 26, 2023
4 – Arsenal have kept four clean sheets from 21 Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium since the start of last season; of the 17 teams to participate in the competition in each of the last two seasons, only Fulham have kept fewer clean sheets at home (3). Leaky. pic.twitter.com/ygm5DNJcZV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 26, 2023
I don’t get Arteta changing our whole system to accommodate Havertz.
Just isn’t working.
Put Gabriel back in next to Saliba, move White to right back, and stick Partey in the middle where he belongs.
And take off Havertz.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 26, 2023
Onana and Ramsdale facing off at the Emirates next week. pic.twitter.com/WtpvioxfCa
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 26, 2023
Jorginho on and Arsenal concede pic.twitter.com/djuMk4p2fX
— CarefreeLewisG🇪🇹 (@CarefreeLewisG) August 26, 2023
Arsenal losing with Havertz on the pitch.
Subbed Havertz off, Arsenal equalized and took the lead.
Brought in jorginho, Fulham equalized.
Chelsea really sent them to Arsenal for a mission pic.twitter.com/vB8O8xh4Y6
— 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬 (@OnyedumFrancis) August 26, 2023
Declan Rice’s game by numbers vs. Fulham:
96% pass accuracy
79 touches
67 passes completed
24 final third passes
5 tackles won
5/6 ground duels won
4/5 long balls completed
1 clearance
1 interceptionDictating. 🍚 pic.twitter.com/0E0tdOIfsD
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 26, 2023
João Palhinha – Fulham’s mid-block monster pic.twitter.com/y6wQUwLZon
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) August 26, 2023
I don’t understand how we came 2nd last season and Arteta thought to himself ‘You know what’s missing from this team? Havertz, in the midfield. Next to Odegaard’ He’s gonna play Havertz there until he feels it’s his fault we lost, which he never will. This season is gonna be shit
— Lippy (@LickshotLippy) August 26, 2023
Didn’t deserve the win
Arteta needed to learn his lessonEntirely his fault
— Bill (@BillKatamba) August 26, 2023
Fabio Vieira and Nketiah only positives. Very annoying result.
— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) August 26, 2023
When fit, Oleksandr Zinchenko should start every single game. He makes us so much better.
Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah terrific.
Valuable points dropped. United next.
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) August 26, 2023
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