It was an afternoon to forget for Arsenal at Craven Cottage as their title hopes took another hit
Arsenal's miserable end to 2023 continued as they saw an early lead slip away in a dismal 2-1 defeat at Fulham. Having been stunned at home by West Ham last time out, Mikel Arteta's side needed a big response and they got off to the perfect start when Bukayo Saka gave them the lead on five minutes.
But that was as good as it got for the visitors, who were sluggish and toothless throughout, and Fulham made them pay with goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby De Cordova-Reid to earn a deserved three points.
The defeat – Arsenal's third in five league games – leaves them fourth in the table having picked up just four points from a possible 15. Their lack of options at centre-forward is becoming a real issue, and Arteta will surely be asking for funds to strengthen his attacking ranks in the January window.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Craven Cottage…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (6/10):
Made one great save in the second half. Couldn't do anything about either goal.
Ben White (4/10):
Fulham really targeted the space behind him and got a lot of joy. Tough afternoon for the right-back.
William Saliba (5/10):
Not at his best. He looked nervy at times and picked up a yellow card late on for pulling back Wilson.
Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10):
Won some big duels and brought the ball out well into midfield. Probably Arsenal's best defender on the day.
Jakub Kiwior (4/10):
Fulham looked to target him. He will be a bit disappointed with Jimenez's goal. Should probably have done better to get something on the cross. Replaced at half-time.
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Declan Rice (5/10):
Not at his dominant best and that is probably why there seemed to be more space in front of Arsenal's back four than usual.
Kai Havertz (4/10):
Back in the side after suspension but didn't make much of an impact. The game passed him by for the large part.
Martin Odegaard (6/10):
Some good touches as usual. You felt he was going to be the man to make something happen for Arsenal. Sent one shot just wide.
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Bukayo Saka (4/10):
Opened the scoring early on, but Antonee Robinson played him well. Missed a great chance to make it 2-2 when he put a volley well over which summed up his day.
Eddie Nketiah (3/10):
Anonymous in the first half. Didn't get much service, but didn't do enough to get into the game and posed Fulham zero threat.
Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):
Great run and shot to set up the goal for Saka. A better display than of late. He looked more threatening when on the ball and it was a surprise to see him go off relatively early in the second half.
Subs & Manager
Takehiro Tomiyasu (5/10):
Replaced Kiwior at half-time, but couldn't really change anything.
Gabriel Jesus (4/10):
No impact at all.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
Did at least put in a couple of dangerous crosses.
Reiss Nelson (N/A):
Introduced late on.
Mikel Arteta (3/10):
A bad day for the Arsenal manager. His team selection didn't work and it felt like he left it too late to make attacking changes. It was also a surprise to see Martinelli replaced and Nketiah stay on.
