The reactions told you everything. An incensed Marco Silva could barely bring himself to shake the hand of referee Jared Gillett after neither the Australian official or the video assistant spotted anything wrong with Arsenal’s winner – stabbed home by Gabriel following a robust challenge on Bernd Leno and a possible handball by Bukayo Saka. In the opposite dugout, Mikel Arteta celebrated the goal by rushing along the touchline in a moment of pure joy. The Gunners, who looked like they would lose not just their 100% start but their unbeaten record too, had turned it around without touching the heights of their fine early season form.
Fulham fought manfully and it was always a tall order to come away from the Emirates, especially when you consider that the Cottagers have never won a competitive game at Arsenal. Their most recent memory of this stadium, during the lockdown, was a late leveller from Eddie Nketiah, a substitute who helped change the complexion of today’s game, that was contentiously adjudged onside. A furious Joachim Andersen kicked over a water dispenser in the away dressing room afterwards as Fulham’s feint hopes of avoiding relegation went up in smoke. This defeat was nothing like as damaging – coming at the end of an outstanding few weeks back in the top flight – but it was just as gut-wrenching.
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s hundredth goal for the Whites proved only academic in the final analysis, but the Serbian had delivered a textbook display of number nine play for a side operating exclusively on the counter-attack. On the day that Scott Parker, the manager who deemed him barely worthy of a start the last time Fulham limped out of the Premier League, masterminded Bournemouth’s 9-0 defeat at Liverpool, Mitrovic pressed fluently from the front, held up the ball impressively and punished a glaring error from Gabriel with ruthless efficiency – firing a measured finish across Aaron Ramsdale and into the bottom corner.
Arsenal dominated the first half, finishing the opening 45 minutes, with 72% of the possession but with nothing to show for it. The closest they came to breaking the deadlock was when Gabriel Martinelli clipped the crossbar with an inswinging corner, although Leno did make himself big to save from Saka. Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo made last-ditch tackles to deny Gabriel Jesus a sight of goal, but Fulham weren’t overstretched regularly. There were some boos from the home fans as half time came: the restlessness only increased as the visitors became more expansive after the interval.
Arsenal were guilty of overplaying at the back with Saka chipping a ball from his own corner flag across to Gabriel, whose heavy touch let in Mitrovic. The centre back no clue that the Serbian master marksmen was lurking and Fulham’s number nine advanced on goal, holding off the Brazilian, before using him to leave Ramsdale unsighted as he finished with aplomb. Four goals in four top flight fixtures: not bad for someone who can’t do it in the top flight.
Arteta sent on Nketiah in response and Arsenal threw bodies forward at every opportunity. They were still cavalier at the back and Mitrovic almost stalked down Gabriel, but the hosts survived. From jeopardy at one, the Gunners got extremely lucky at the other end. Saka created a little bit of panic in the Fulham back line with a driving run before finding Odegaard in a central position. The midfielder’s speculative shot spun off Tosin Adarabioyo, completely wrongfooting Leno in the Fulham goal.
Fulham’s response to going behind was immediate. Bobby Decordova-Reid, who ran himself into the ground for the cause, won a corner down the right flank. Andreas Pereira whipped it in and after Mitrovic met it with a trademark header, Ramsdale got a glove to it, pushing it out. Decorodva-Reid’s follow up was blocked by Ben White. Mitrovic then glanced a header fractionally wide before almost getting on the end of a deep Robinson cross from the lead, despite being held by Saliba.
With time ticking away, Nketiah drifted away down the right flank – escaping the attentions of both the Fulham rearguard and an offside flag – before cutting it and drilling a daisycutter just past the post. Arsenal then forced a succession of corners and the decisive moment came from a third in a row. The VAR check didn’t disallow the goal, but Fulham still roused themselves for a final effort. Ramsdale made a sensational stop to keep out a bullet header from Nathaniel Chalobah and the Whites had only plaudits to show their energy, endeavour and pushing Arsenal all the way. Again.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Tierney (Nketiah 61), Gabriel, Saliba; Xhaka, Elneny; Saka, Odegaard (Hodling 90+5), Martinelli; Gabriel Jesus (Tomisayu 89). Subs (not used): Turner, Alenecar, Cedric, Fernando Vieria, Lokonga, Smith-Rowe.
BOOKED: White, Gabriel Jesus.
GOALS: Odegaard (64), Gabriel (88).
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete (Mbabu 79), A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream (Stansfield 88); Palhinha (Chalobah 88), Reed; Decordova-Reid, Kebano (Cairney 69), Pereira (Diop 79); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Rodak, Duffy, Francois, Harris.
BOOKED: Tete, Robinson,
REFEREE: Jared Gillett.
One of the greatest fighting displays by a Fulham team.
They made me proud as they managed to rise above all of the negativity following the Crawley game and lack of incoming transfers in the past week -in particular, losing out to Everton re Neil Maupay.
Every single player gave 100%.
I thought Leno was, technically, superb throughout and he gave our defence so much confidence -until that 2nd goal. He really should have done better IMO.
Tosin started shakily but settled and was immense.
Tim Ream, against the team that, ironically, exposed his Premiership frailties two seasons ago, was a colossus; one of the best games ever in a Fulham shirt. Our Man of the Match IMO.
Palhinha had another strong game and, once again, got his yellow card. He must have a yellow card album at home that he is in a hurry to fill. So good to have some iron strength in our midfield.
Mitrovic was absolutely fantastic and terrified the Arsenal defence for the entirety of the game. What would we do without him?
All of the others gave everything for the cause BUT, despite this, the lack of quality in certain positions is glaringly obvious. Effort is great but, without quality, it’s just not enough at this level.
We were seriously under the cosh in the first half but, in the second 45 mins, we took the game to them. If only Kebano had found Pereira with that break. Ramsdale, ultimately, saved them with two great saves but we made things more difficult for ourselves by constantly ceding possession when the pressure was greatest and Robinson and Decordova Reid were the two main culprits.
We came so close to, at least, getting a point against the league leaders; a team who have spend hundreds of millions in the last two seasons. A little more quality might have seen us grab all three points and it is now time for Shahid Khan to give Marco Silva full backing and produce the players he wants in the few remaining days of this window.
We deserved a point from this match. But more important than a point was confidence. Had we been mauled like Bournemouth, we may most have had the spirit to face the next three difficult games. Having proven that we can match anyone, be it Liverpool or Arsenal, we should go into the Brighton, Tottenham, and Chelsea games knowing we can beat them.
And who was the idiot who said Mitro couldn’t do as well in the Prem? (Me, but please throw rotten tomatoes—I was terribly wrong.)
My only concern is about injuries. Except for right back and keeper, we are only one deep.
Please forgive the autocorrect
On another day we would have grabbed a deserved point. Fulham are showing a lot of grit, i believe this could be the secret of our suvival. Come on Whites!
Great game to watch. As an Arsenal fan I was of course ecstatic to get all 3 points. In terms of chances created and overall play I think we deserved it but Fulham definitely showed enough to take at least a point. Rugged performance and Fulham will definitely stay up if this form can be maintained over 38 games. Mitrovic is an animal, would take him at Arsenal all day.
Rose above all the negativity, especially from the likes of Charles and the rest on this forum. Football fans are so very fickle and over the top
Marco Silva should feel proud of himself he got the team right and what a performance I thought we deserved the point everyone gave there all and Tim Ream gave a performance that I have not seen for while who said about his age and fitness against quick players,We should now be not scared of anybody in this division just a bit more quality in the right areas So come on Mr Khan put your money where your mouth is,bit worrying about cover up front if Mitro gets injured Leno and Palinha were Ok I think Palinha did not quite stamp his authority in the second half because of the Yellow card bearing that in mind it’s great to have a player of Palinha ability in our team you cannot take the aggressive side away from him because that’s part of his make up as a player the spine of the team is starting to look Ok
Excellent but in defeat. Dubious second goal usually only given to home teams!
Lack of depth and quality in the squad with a couple of days to go and probably only mostly journeymen out there isn’t positive.
We can survive on the basis of the first four games but that’s based on little or no serious injuries. Too many positions with no proper cover.
Heard it all before?
We’re in it and fighting with all the teams. We have a chance. Personal apologies to Ream. I thought he had no chance of making it at this level but hats off to him.
I’m afraid we still need 3 or 4 signings though. We clearly need more strength in depth up front and wide. We will get injuries as we know already. Come on TK get the squad sorted.
Huge game on Tuesday. Come on boys!
I must echo the praise heaped quite rightly on Tim Ream – all my reservations about him playing in The Premiership only go to show why I sit in the Hammy End and Marco is the manager. A very brave defensive display by The Whites against a team who are relentless, and deservedly top of the league. Our ‘five-at-the-back’ to finish the game seemed very useful (and we were still causing ‘the odd scare’ for The Arse). Although I have voted Tim Ream as our man-of-the-match, mention must be made of Mitro (who will never score in The Premiership) -:I say again: “Where do you want your statue Aleksandar?
Defeated but PROUD of a gutsy defensive performance where either Mitros second or chalabahs at the death could have gone in to change the result.
Emile Smith Rowe was an unused Arsenal sub yesterday. IMO he’d be an excellent acquisition for Fulham. Superb wing man. Take an urgent look Marco. PLEASE.
R.I.P. Scott Parker