Arsenal will be frustrated as the Gunners dropped points on match day 15 of the Premier League season.
After Liverpool’s clash with Everton was postponed, Arsenal had the chance to reduce the gap between themselves and the league leaders.
Mikel Arteta’s challenge was not overcome at Craven Cottage as the Gunners drew 1-1 with Fulham.
Injuries to Arsenal’s defence certainly made a difference as Jakub Kiwior was criticised for failing to defend Raul Jimenez, who scored Fulham’s opener after just 11 minutes.
William Saliba scored in consecutive games to get one back for the visitors, who netted from yet another set-piece.
Arsenal player ratings vs Fulham
David Raya – 6
A relatively quiet game for Raya who was unable to keep a clean sheet as Jimenez’s finish was exceptional.
Jurrien Timber – 5
Undoubtedly a greater influence on the right side of defence, Timber was quiet by his standard and was dragged narrow for Jimenez’s opener.
Jakub Kiwior – 4.5
Kiwior was put under a spell by Jimenez early on as the Fulham striker put the hosts ahead, far too lackadaisical at the back and a considerable level below Gabriel.
William Saliba – 6.5
Another game with his name on the scoresheet for Saliba.
Some will question whether the Frenchman could have done more to prevent Jimenez’s goal however, the Mexican’s work was all-but complete thanks to Kiwior’s poor positioning.
Thomas Partey – 5.5
Arteta opted to play Partey at right-back but, it quickly became clear just how missed the Ghanaian’s presence was in midfield.
The 31-year-old had to score in the second half, missing his second great chance of the week.
- READ MORE: ‘Unbelievable’… Thomas Partey left Arsenal fans in shock after what he just did vs Man United
Declan Rice – 6
Looked to get in behind Fulham multiple times, showed strong attacking desire to make a difference down the left side.
Jorginho – 5
Jorginho offers experience and a passing quality that very few can, although when Fulham’s midfield were dominating, the Italian didn’t stand a chance.
Martin Odegaard – 5.5
A quiet game by the Norwegian’s standards as the captain struggled to make his mark on the game, there was some concern that the Odegaard had suffered a knock in the first half.
Bukayo Saka – 6.5
Saka’s duel with Antonee Robinson was a thriller as a top class winger and top quality full-back went head to head.
Saka caused Fulham the most problems from an Arsenal point of view, consistently putting in impressive deliveries and dangerous dribbles.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Trossard squeezed what he could out of a game that was very much dominated by the right side, the Belgian showed strong trickery in wide areas.
Kai Havertz – 4
It was far from Havertz’s best outing in an Arsenal shirt, Chris Sutton dubbed the German ‘lazy’ during the first half of Sky Sports’ live coverage – which can’t be argued.
The forward was caught offside multiple times, was rarely in a desired position and when he was, his finishing was questionable.
Substitutes
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Martinelli was difficult for the hosts to handle, bringing an injection of pace in what was a rather slow paced game by Arsenal’s standard.
The Brazilian will be disappointed to have been offside in what he thought was the match-winner as he set up Saka late into the fixture.
Gabriel Jesus – 3
Arteta called on Jesus to offer a fresh approach in attack; however, the Brazilian was unable to provide what was desired in what was yet another poor showing from the striker.
Ethan Nwaneri – N/A
Mikel Merino – N/A
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