Arsenal made the short trip to West London to take on Fulham in a Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal had the opportunity to gain ground on Liverpool with a positive result at Craven Cottage, after the Reds’ Merseyside derby showdown with Everton was postponed due to poor weather on Saturday.
However, Mikel Arteta had some challenges to face heading into this fixture. Oleksandr Zinchenko became Arsenal’s latest injury casualty, joining Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the treatment table.
Despite dominating the first half, the Gunners found themselves a goal down at the break, after they were stung by Raul Jimenez. Arsenal fans blamed Jukub Kiwior for being caught out by the striker’s run.
William Saliba tapped in from a corner to get the visitors level after the break. In the final minutes, Bukayo Saka thought he’d won it for Arsenal, but VAR ruled Gabriel Martinelli to have strayed offside in the build up. Ultimately, Arteta had to accept a draw.
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Arsenal fans chant at set-piece
As Arsenal were awarded their first corner of the match, early on in the game, the travelling Arsenal fans could be heard ole-ing in anticipation.
It is unsurprising that supporters of the North London club are excited and inspired into song by such scenarios, as Arteta’s side have been so devastatingly effective with their set-pieces.
Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has become a real secret weapon for Arsenal.
Martin Odegaard gives injury warning
Martin Odegaard gave Arsenal two scares in the first half, twice looking to have picked up an injury.
At one stage he was seen indicating to the bench that he was in some discomfort. He then went down again, clutching his ankle, just before the break.
Arsenal missed Odegaard a great deal whilst he was injured earlier this season, and can’t afford to have their captain sidelined again.
Emile Smith Rowe reunites with Arsenal stars
Prior to kick off, Emile Smith Rowe was seen socialising with his former Arsenal teammates as they made their way out onto the pitch. The midfielder was chatting happily with Thomas Partey.
The Hale End academy graduate left Arsenal in the recent summer transfer window, having fallen down the pecking order under Arteta following a succession of injuries.
His career has been given the new lease of life it needed at Craven Cottage, and few Arsenal supporters would begrudge the 24-year-old his current happiness.
Kai Havertz gives Mikel Arteta cause for concern
Kai Havertz has largely led the line well for Arsenal this season, but there were elements of the German’s performance against Fulham that will have frustrated Arteta.
The former Chelsea man was caught offside unnecessarily twice in the first half, causing potential attacks to break down.
On multiple occasions, Havertz was also guilty of being caught on his heels and not attacking the six-yard box when Saka flashed teasing deliveries across the face of goal.
Jorginho showing his age
At 32-years-old, Jorginho is certainly in the twilight years in his career. However, the manner in which he had tired before being hauled off on the hour mark will have alarmed Arteta.
Just before he made way from the pitch, Jorginho tried to keep up with a Fulham break but could not gather enough pace.
If injuries mean that Arsenal have to rely upon Jorginho to start week in, week out for any significant period this season then this will certainly be a weakness that opponents will target.
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