Arsenal 4-1 Fulham: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2018-19

Arsenal notched up their first points of 2019, courtesy of a 4-1 victory over fellow Londoners, Fulham. The Gunners were not at their best, yet managed to get the job done to ensure a smooth start to the year.

Arsenal created an opportunity very early in the game but Aubameyang failed to keep his shot under the crossbar. After the early impetus, the Gunners suddenly looked bereft of ideas and played at a pedestrian pace.

The first goal of the game came when Xhaka popped up unmarked in the box. The Swiss international made no mistake in putting the ball in the back of the net to give Arsenal only their second half-time lead in the league this season.

The Gunners were much better going forward in the second half and Lacazette capped off a sublime team move with an emphatic finish in the 55th minute. However, Kamara scored in the 69th minute to set some panic among the Arsenal ranks.

But, it was only short-lived as Ramsey and Aubameyang scored in quick succession to kill the game off. The defeat left Fulham stranded in 19th place whereas the Gunners are now just a couple of points off the top four.

Here we take a look at the key talking points from the game.

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#5 Fulham game could not have come at a better time for Arsenal

Aubameyang took his tally to 14 in the league

The Gunners have overseen a strange 2018-19 season so far. Their season started off with two defeats before they embarked on a 22-game unbeaten run. However, since the streak was brought to a halt, they have portrayed the deficiencies that they had seemingly overcome during the run.

At the weekend, the Gunners were handed an absolute mauling and hence, the game against Fulham gained greater importance. Fulham has the worst defensive record in the league, having conceded 43 goals in their 20 Premier League games before the Arsenal clash. After an uninspiring first 25 minutes, they produced a bit of quality in the final third to go ahead.

As the Gunners came out of the tunnel in the second period, they played a lot better to go 2-0 ahead. Later in the game, with Fulham applying pressure to eke out an unlikely draw, Ramsey struck the decisive third goal to end the game as a contest.

Despite an uninspiring performance, it was a much-needed win and three points for the Gunners. The game against Fulham could not have come at a better time for Arsenal. It gives them something to build on in their race for a top-four finish.

#4 Fulham left to rue their missed chances

Sessegnon fluffed his lines on a couple of occasions

Fulham arrived at the Emirates after a morale-boosting victory over Huddersfield in their last game. In the opening exchanges against Arsenal, they created chances and put Arsenal under pressure.

Mitrovic was a constant menace and Cairney’s ability to twist and turn helped Fulham overwhelm Arsenal’s midfield. In the 15th minute, Sessegnon was sent through on goal after some tidy play by Cairney but he fired it wide.

Minutes later, Sessegnon had a chance to redeem himself but he failed to make proper contact when he was free in the Arsenal penalty area. In the second-half as well, Fulham kept scything through Arsenal frequently and Leno needed to be alert to thwart their advances.

In fairness, the 4-1 score-line flattered the Gunners and it could easily have been a 2-2 or a 3-3 had Fulham converted their opportunities.

On a day when Arsenal’s strikers gobbled up their chances, Fulham wasted those that came their way, proving exactly why the Cottagers are languishing in 19th place.

#3 Alex Iwobi sparkles on New Year’s Day

Iwobi started off 2019 on the right note

With Ozil ruled out of the game against Fulham, the onus fell on Iwobi to provide the creative spark and the Nigerian was at the heart of everything good the Gunners did in attack.

Blessed with quick feet and the confidence to try things, Iwobi has often drawn groans from the terraces due to his over-eagerness to harness his natural ability. While the above trait led to frustration towards the back end of 2018, the same characteristic helped Iwobi turn the tide in the Gunners’ favor on Tuesday.

The Nigerian clipped in a perfectly-weighted ball for Xhaka to fire home for the first goal. In addition to the assist, Iwobi was a bundle of energy throughout and gave the Fulham defense a headache with his dazzling dribbling and direct running.

If he keeps conjuring displays like today, there won’t be a lot of people questioning his selection in the eleven.

#2 Is there time for a ‘Great Escape’ for Fulham?

Ranieri has his hands full to avoid relegation with Fulham

After the high of the weekend, Fulham were promptly sent crashing down to earth, courtesy of a 4-1 drubbing at the Emirates. Though the score-line might paint a picture of an utterly underwhelming display by the away side, in reality, the game was much closer than the score suggests.

For a majority of the first period, Fulham put Arsenal on the back foot and were unlucky to concede through the Gunners’ first meaningful attack. Though the profligacy is an aspect to be worried about, the way they carved Arsenal open at times suggested that all might not be doom and gloom for Fulham.

While their attack seems to possess the required firepower to fight its way out of trouble, the same can hardly be said about their defense. After conceding four against Arsenal, Fulham have now shipped an appalling 47 goals. If the Cottagers harbor any hopes of staying up, they need to fix their defensive woes at the earliest.

If they can get their defensive act together, a ‘Great Escape’ might not be too far off the cards and in Claudio Ranieri, they’ve got an individual with a penchant for a footballing fairy tale or two.

#1 Arsenal need to improve massively to make the top four

Emery still has a lot of work to do

The 2018-19 campaign was always expected to be a tough one for the Gunners. However, once Emery stitched together a 22-game unbeaten run, a top-four finish looked a real possibility.

Yet, at the start of the year, the Gunners still look miles away from where a team competing for the top four should be. They are too shaky defensively and their inability to keep clean sheets is particularly alarming. Moreover, their proficiency to see out a narrow lead is under a serious cloud.

Though the Gunners’ attack can give any defense a run for their money, their own rear-guard simply can’t be relied upon to keep things tight. A probable solution for Arsenal could be to let the leash off their attackers and fight fire with fire, hoping to outscore the opposition in each game. However, the said tactic is an extremely risky one and might not work against stronger opponents.

With the transfer window now open, Emery would be on the look-out for potential defensive signings. Thus, with the cards stacked firmly against Arsenal, they face an uphill battle to regain their place in Europe’s elite club competition.

Unless the Gunners improve on the defensive front, Champions League qualification could just be a step too far.