In a frustrating turn of events for Arsenal, the chance to lead the Premier League at the start of the new year slipped through their fingers with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Fulham.
The Gunners got off to a promising start, taking the lead within five minutes as Bukayo Saka found the net after a quick break initiated by Gabriel Martinelli’s shot. However, the joy was short-lived.
Fulham, sitting 13th in the league and eager to break a three-game losing streak, mounted a comeback. Raul Jimenez, back from suspension, equalized in the 29th minute, capitalizing on a dangerous low cross from former Arsenal player Tom Cairney.
We're now on WhatsApp. Click here to join.
The turning point came in the 60th minute when Bobby Decordova-Reid scrambled home the winner from a corner, condemning Arsenal to back-to-back defeats after their 2-0 loss to West Ham.
The defeat leaves Arsenal in fourth place, trailing leaders Liverpool by two points. As the Reds prepare to face Newcastle on New Year’s Day, Arsenal must regroup and address their recent struggles to stay in the title race.
The match showcased the resilience of Fulham under manager Marco Silva, who celebrated a deserved victory.
Arsenal, on the other hand, faces questions about their consistency and ability to maintain their title challenge in the competitive Premier League.
The disappointing result marks a slide for Arsenal from a potential top spot at the turn of the year to fourth place, intensifying the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta to find solutions and revive the team’s fortunes in the coming matches.
