The big screen displays the result of a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review disallowing a goal from Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka for offside in the build-up during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on December 8, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR ‘LIVE’ SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO VIDEO EMULATION. SOCIAL MEDIA IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO USE IN BETTING PUBLICATIONS, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. /
Arsenal missed the opportunity to narrow the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on Sunday.
Bukayo Saka’s late winner was disallowed following a VAR review for offside, ending the Gunners’ four-match winning streak in west London.
Raul Jimenez gave Fulham an early lead with a stunning strike before William Saliba equalised for Arsenal with a goal from a corner.
The result moves Mikel Arteta’s side above Chelsea into second place, six points behind Liverpool, who still have a game in hand after their fixture against Everton on Saturday was postponed due to high winds.
Chelsea could reclaim second place if they avoid defeat against Tottenham later on Sunday.
Arsenal were missing key defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and
Riccardo Calafiori due to injury, and Fulham capitalised on the makeshift left side of their backline. Kenny Tete’s incisive pass found Jimenez, who surged forward and curled an excellent shot past David Raya into the far corner in the 11th minute.
Despite dominating possession, Arsenal struggled to break down Fulham’s defence in the first half, with Saka’s effort easily saved by Bernd Leno.
The Gunners’ prowess from set-pieces, which had delivered two goals against Manchester United in midweek, came to their rescue again. Saliba converted Kai Havertz’s header from close range to score Arsenal’s 23rd goal from corners since the start of last season.
Thomas Partey missed a golden opportunity to secure victory, heading wide from a precise Declan Rice corner. Saka thought he had secured the win late on, but Gabriel Martinelli was adjudged offside in the build-up to the goal.
Elsewhere, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester snatched a 2-2 draw against Brighton at the King Power Stadium. Jamie Vardy inspired the late comeback, assisting Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s stoppage-time equaliser after Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh had put Brighton ahead.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth staged a dramatic late turnaround to beat Ipswich 2-1 at Portman Road. Conor Chaplin’s opener for Ipswich was cancelled out by goals from Enes Unal and Dango Ouattara, keeping Ipswich four points adrift of safety in the bottom three.
AFP
