Arsenal were denied a late Bukayo Saka winner at Fulham on Sunday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw in a result that saw them drop two crucial points in the Premier League.
The Gunners thought they had won it in the 90th minute when Saka headed in from Gabriel Martinelli’s cross but the Brazilian had strayed just offside moments before.
Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko were all missing for Arsenal, forcing Mikel Arteta to start Thomas Partey at right-back, with Jurrien Timber moved to left-back.
Jorginho returned to the team, with Leandro Trossard also picked to start over Martinelli.
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Story of the match
Arsenal had started well, forcing Fulham to defend their box and launching in some dangerous crosses.
But it was a Raul Jimenez strike that gave the home side the lead in the 11th minute. The Mexican latched onto a Kenny Tete through ball and fired an early shot past David Raya and into the corner.
There was a response from Arsenal, who dominated possession and forced Fulham back again, but the Gunners rarely tested Bernd Leno and went into half-time behind and frustrated.
Shortly after the restart, it was again a corner that gave Arsenal a route back into the game. Kai Havertz drifted into space to head Declan Rice’s corner into the path of William Saliba. The defender poked home for his second goal in a week.
Saliba looked to have strayed offside on initial replays, but VAR gave the goal, showing Antonee Robinson’s foot had just made the difference.
Arsenal could’ve and probably should’ve had the lead in the 70th minute, another expertly taken corner finding Partey but the Ghanaian directed his free header wide.
Fulham almost took the lead themselves shortly after. Raya was forced into a save at his near post to deny Andreas Pereira.
With Saka’s goal disallowed, the draw sees Arsenal stay six points behind leaders Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s side having a game in hand.
Chelsea have the chance to go two points above the Gunners if they can win at Tottenham.
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Player of the match - William Saliba
Saliba followed on from his performance against Manchester United on Wednesday with another imperious display. His goal gave Arsenal a fighting chance for the three points and he drove his team forward constantly, mopping up everything that came his way.
Arteta will feel unfortunate that his team have been without Gabriel this week, who may have made the difference in stopping Jimenez’s early goal.
Nevertheless, it was again an impressive performance from Saliba, who, unlike some of his teammates, deserved to walk away having won the game.
