Fulham 1-1 Arsenal: Arsenal Player Ratings

Mikel Arteta’s side fought back from a goal down to secure a draw following late VAR drama which denied them maximum points.

Arsenal managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Fulham. The match was marked by a strong performance from both teams, with Fulham taking the lead early on and Arsenal equalizing in the second half.

Fulham started the game strongly, with Raul Jimenez scoring the opening goal in the 11th minute. The Mexican forward capitalized on a quick counter-attack, finishing past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to break down Fulham’s defense.

Arsenal came out with renewed energy in the second half, and their persistence paid off when William Saliba scored from a corner kick in the 52nd minute. Kai Havertz’s header from Declan Rice’s corner was deflected in by Saliba, who managed to stay onside after a VAR check. The goal brought Arsenal back into the game, and they continued to press for a winner.

In the dying minutes of the match, Bukayo Saka thought he had secured the win for Arsenal with a header from a Martinelli cross. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR check revealed that Gabriel Martinelli was offside in the build-up. The match ended 1-1, leaving Arsenal frustrated with the result.

Here’s how the Arsenal players fared:

Goalkeeper

David Raya (6/10): Had a relatively quiet game with only one save to make. He couldn’t do much about Raul Jimenez’s well-placed finish.

Defenders

Thomas Partey (6/10): Struggled to replicate his previous performances at right-back, winning just one of seven duels but maintained a high passing accuracy.

William Saliba (7/10): Arsenal’s standout performer, scoring the equalizer and putting in a solid defensive shift with three clearances and one interception.

Jakub Kiwior (6/10): Had a mixed game, caught out for Fulham’s goal but otherwise solid.

Jurrien Timber (6.5/10): Quiet by his standards, struggled to influence the game from left-back.

Midfielders

Martin Odegaard (6/10): Found it difficult to break down Fulham’s defense and was substituted late on.

Jorginho (7/10): Controlled the midfield well, distributing the ball efficiently.

Declan Rice (7/10): Another strong performance, contributing both defensively and offensively.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (6/10): Had a goal disallowed for offside but was a constant threat down the right.

Kai Havertz (6/10): Assisted Saliba’s goal with a clever header but was otherwise quiet.

Leandro Trossard (6/10): Worked hard and created several chances before being substituted.

Substitutes

Gabriel Martinelli (5/10): Came on for Trossard but struggled to make an impact.

Mikel Merino (5/10): Replaced Jorginho and added fresh legs to the midfield.

Gabriel Jesus (5/10): Brought on for Havertz, provided energy but couldn’t find the winner.

Ethan Nwaneri (5/10): A late substitute for Odegaard, showed promise in his brief appearance.