Rated higher, Arsenal started quite favorably when taking the lead after only 5 minutes of play thanks to Bukayo Saka. But home team Fulham then regained control of the game and got a worthy equalizer for their efforts in the 29th minute. Raul Jimenez was the one who scored after an accurate cross from Tom Cairney.
Arsenal (right) declines before the New Year
The fact that they would regain the top spot if they won this match put some pressure on the Gunners. Coach Michel Arteta's team started to show a clumsy play in the early part of the second half. They even conceded a second goal in the 59th minute when Bobby Decordova-Reid took advantage of a messy situation after a corner kick to score to raise the score to 2-1 for Fulham.
Arsenal's attack with Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz then did not have much space to create opportunities, and also had difficulty due to the slippery pitch due to rain in the second half. Meanwhile, proactively playing a large defense helped the home team at Craven Cottage block many quick combinations of the "Gunners".
Arsenal suffered their second consecutive defeat
Despite Arteta strengthening his attack by bringing in Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson, Arsenal's play was still quite deadlocked. Marco Silva's team played fiercely and successfully secured a 2-1 victory.
Thus, after the shocking 0-2 defeat to West Ham at home, Arsenal are showing signs of running out of steam like last season as they enter the winter. The defeat at Fulham leaves Arteta's team in 4th place, 2 points behind leaders Liverpool but having played 1 more game.
Tottenham rekindle hopes of title race
In the match taking place at the same time, Tottenham won 3-1 against Bournemouth thanks to goals from Pape Matar Sarr, Son Heung-min and Richarlison. This victory helped Spurs reduce the gap to 1 point from the top 4, while maintaining their hopes of competing for the championship.
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