Arsenal had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Fulham, despite scoring from yet another corner, as the Gunners missed the chance to close the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points.
For the second time in the space of four days, Arsenal dealt a set-piece blow right after half-time, as William Saliba deflected Kai Havertz’s header from Declan Rice’s corner to level the game at 1-1 – their Gunners’ 23rd goal from a corner since the start of last season.
The Gunners were frustrated throughout at Craven Cottage, dominating the game and giving Fulham little – apart from Raul Jimenez’s opener after 11 minutes after the Mexican forward broke clear from Jakub Kiwior’s marking and slammed home past David Raya.
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Arsenal score another set-piece goal! William Saliba levels against Fulham
Saliba’s goal survived a lengthy VAR check for offside – but the technology denied Arsenal on the brink of stoppage time as Bukayo Saka’s late winner was ruled out for an earlier offside by Gabriel Martinelli.
“[Liverpool head coach] Arne Slot would have had his heart in his mouth watching those final few minutes and the biggest VAR decision of the season so far,” said Sky Sports‘ Jamie Redknapp at full-time.
“It was absolutely incredible but Martinelli just had to keep himself offside.”
“What a weekend for Liverpool. Man City dropping points, Arsenal dropping points and they’ve got themselves into an even better position.”
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Raul Jimenez fires Fulham into early lead vs Arsenal
Arsenal had plenty more chances to score more than one at Craven Cottage – with their best chances coming from, you guessed it, corners. Saliba should have scored from Arsenal’s first one of the game but glanced his header wide, while Thomas Partey put a chance wide from another Rice corner.
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Arsenal’s Thomas Partey misses key chance for Arsenal to take the lead against Fulham
The Gunners thought they had won it after Martinelli’s cross was headed home by Saka but VAR spotted the former had gone too early in the build-up.
“He is offside, but in footballing terms, that’s criminal from Martinelli,” says Paul Merson. “You cannot be offside. You’re looking along the line.
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Late Arsenal winner ruled out for offside against Fulham.
“He’s got pace, he’s electric, so he’s not someone who trying to nick a yard and play right on the edge. I’d be surprised if he isn’t on the end of one in the dressing room by the manager because he even knows.
“You could see it on his face after, he knows you can’t do that. One thing when you look along that line – do not be offside. It’s as simple as that.”
The draw – plus yesterday’s postponement of the Merseyside derby due to Storm Darragh – means Arsenal have cut Liverpool’s game at the top to four points – but Mikel Arteta’s side will see this as an opportunity missed.
More to follow…
