Arsenal travelled to Craven Cottage on Sunday seeking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat against West Ham United last time out. A poor Arsenal...
Arsenal travelled to Craven Cottage on Sunday seeking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat against West Ham United last time out.
A poor Arsenal performance got what it deserved as the north London club slumped to a 2-1 defeat.
Mikel Arteta got precisely the kind of start he will have wanted. A swift counter-attack led to Bukayo Saka tapping in from close range at the far post, after Gabriel Martinelli’s initial effort was kept out by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
After that, though, the hosts grew into the game, and deservedly equalised through Raul Jimenez. Fulham continued to impress after the break and eventually, deservedly, took the lead through Bobby De Cordova-Reid after poor Arsenal defending.
The Gunners never really threatened to get back into the match and have now lost consecutive Premier League games, dealing their title credentials a hefty blow.
Arsenal player ratings v Fulham
David Raya – 6/10
Not at fault for either goal.
Ben White – 4/10
Ben White struggled to cope defensively, and offered little going forward. None of Arsenal’s full-backs are impressing at the moment and that is a huge problem for Arteta.
William Saliba – 4.5/10
Not his usual self today. The Frenchman lacked composure at times, fired a number of aimless balls forward, and struggled to win his duels.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 4.5/10
Gabriel Magahlaes started the game well, competing strongly and playing progressive passes. However, he was dragged down to the level of his teammates.
Jakub Kiwior – 3/10
Jakub Kiwior really struggled in the first half. Handed a rare start at left-back ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko, the £20 million former Spezia man failed to replicate the Ukrainian’s passing game and was also targeted defensively. The Polish defender was hooked at half-time.
Declan Rice – 4/10
After struggling against his former club last time out, Declan Rice was once again poor and repeatedly gave the ball away.
Martin Odegaard – 5/10
Tried to make things happen, but nothing the captain attempted came off.
Kai Havertz – 5/10
Kai Havertz’s performance was not as error-strewn as many of his teammates’, but he also failed to impose himself onto the game.
Bukayo Saka – 5/10
Saka got his goal early on, but then it was all downhill from there. His delivery was poor, and he was rarely able to get the better of his opponent in one-on-one situations.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4.5/10
Martinelli’s recent form has been poor and he was wasteful once again in west London.
Eddie Nketiah – 3.5/10
Handed a rare start ahead of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah wasted this chance to shine and prove his worth. Nketiah is determined to fight for his future at Arsenal but this match proved that Arteta is in dire need of a top level striker.
Substitutes
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 4/10
Gabriel Jesus – 3/10
Leandro Trossard – 3.5/10
Reiss Nelson – 3/10