A crucial weekend in the Premier League title race saw Arsenal miss a golden opportunity to close the gap on leaders Liverpool, who had their Saturday fixture postponed due to Storm Darragh. With Liverpool idle, Mikel Arteta’s team had the chance to reduce the deficit to just four points, but a frustrating 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage ensured that chance slipped away.
Arsenal endured a difficult start as Raul Jimenez fired Fulham ahead early on. The Mexican striker capitalized on defensive hesitation, leaving Arsenal to chase the game from the outset. However, the Gunners found a response through an increasingly reliable source: a set-piece. William Saliba, stepping up in Gabriel’s absence, netted for the second Premier League match running, leveling the score and offering a lifeline to the visitors.
Despite dominating possession and creating the majority of opportunities, Arsenal were unable to find a decisive goal. Their best moment came late in the match when Bukayo Saka thought he had grabbed a winner, only for Gabriel Martinelli to be ruled offside by VAR in the build-up, deflating the traveling supporters and leaving Arteta’s side with just a point to show for their efforts.
Though the result was disappointing, Arsenal’s performance was not without its positives. Chief among them was William Saliba’s display. The French center-back has been a model of consistency since making his Premier League debut two years ago. Against Fulham, he not only anchored the defense in Gabriel’s absence but also made his presence felt at the other end of the pitch. Saliba’s equalizer, set up by Kai Havertz, underscored his growing influence in set-piece scenarios.
Another standout was Declan Rice, who continued his excellent form after a commanding performance against Manchester United earlier in the week. The England midfielder was a driving force in the middle of the park, contributing with precision passes and creativity. He ended the game with a remarkable 98% pass completion rate, delivering four accurate crosses and three key passes.
On the flip side, Jakub Kiwior struggled in Gabriel’s absence. The Polish defender was at fault for Fulham’s opener, hesitating as Kenny Tete’s pass in behind found Jimenez. Kiwior’s indecision allowed the striker to slot past David Raya. His defensive stats reflected a challenging afternoon, as he failed to win any ground duels, made no tackles, and was dribbled past once. This inconsistency has plagued Kiwior’s time at Arsenal, and it’s likely Arteta will reinstate Gabriel or Riccardo Calafiori for the upcoming Champions League tie against Monaco if they are fit.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s inability to capitalize on Liverpool’s postponed match will sting, but the mixed performance highlights areas for both encouragement and improvement as the title race intensifies.
