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Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Sunday, December 8. The result sees the Gunners temporarily move up to second place with 29 points, while the Cottagers remain 10th with 23 points from their 15 games so far.
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Fulham made a great start to the game and looked clinical right from their first move. Kenny Tete released Raul Jimenez into space, with the Mexican making a lovely run to leave Jakub Kiwior in the dust before firing a confident finish into the bottom-left corner past David Raya. However, they barely saw much of the ball after that moment as Arsenal dominated possesion.
The Gunners were unable to find a way past Fulham's resolute defending despite keeping the ball for nearly 70% of the first half. Arsenal created some chances but were unable to find a way past former Gunner Bernd Leno in goal as they trailed 1-0 at the interval despite several attempts to get back on level terms.
Having failed to make an impact with their handful of chances in the first half, Arsenal looked to make amends early in the second period. They levelled the contest just seven minutes after the restart as Kai Havertz's knock-down from a corner kick fell kindly to William Saliba, who tapped into an open net to make it 1-1 after 52 minutes.
The Gunners kept coming at Fulham in a bid to find that elusive equalizer. However, it never came as they failed to make any decent chances for themselves. Arsenal seemed to have won the game in the 90th minute as Gabriel Martinelli's cross was headed in by Bukayo Saka. The former was deemed offside in the build-up though, and the goal was duly disallowed.
With just five minutes of time added at the end of the match, neither side could grab a winner as the game ended in a 1-1 draw between Fulham and Arsenal. On that note, let's take a look at the Gunners' player ratings.
Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya - 6.5/10
Raya made just one save in this match for Arsenal between the sticks. He also played just one long ball in a subpar performance.
Thomas Partey - 6.5/10
Partey could not replicate his previous good performances at right back as he won just one of seven duels. However, he passed the ball with 93% accuracy in midfield.
William Saliba - 7.5/10
Saliba had a great game as he scored Arsenal's only goal of the match. He also won three duels in defence, making three clearances and one interception along with it. He also missed another big chance to score.
Jakub Kiwior - 6.5/10
Kiwior played well in defence except for the moment he was caught off-guard by Raul Jimenez's wonderful run.
Jurrien Timber - 6.5/10
Timber played in his secondary left back position in this match and put in a good performance. He won one duel and made one clearance as well.
Martin Odegaard - 6.5/10
Odegaard passed the ball with 88% accuracy, including three key passes. He also won one duel in midfield but did not attempt a single shot in a mixed performance for the Gunners.
Jorginho - 7/10
The Italian looked sharp in midfield and put in a good performance in the middle of the park. Jorginho passed the ball with 92% accuracy and also won five duels.
Declan Rice - 8.5/10
Rice was the best player on the pitch as he put in a great performance for Arsenal. He passed the ball with 98% accuracy, including three key passes and four accurate crosses. He also won two duels, making one clearance and one interception as well.
Bukayo Saka - 7.5/10
Sakla had a typical good game against Fulham away from home. He completed three dribbles, played one key pass and also made one clearance.
Kai Havertz - 7/10
Havertz had a decent game up front as he provided an assist for Arsenal's only goal of the match. He also won two duels and attempted three shots that were all off-target.
Leandro Trossard - 7/10
Trossard had a decent game for the Gunners on the left flank and also drifted narrow to offer support to his teammates.
Substitutes
Gabriel Martinelli - 6.5/10
He replaced Trossard but failed to make an impact on the proceedings.
Mikel Merino - 6/10
He replaced Jorginho and put in a decent performance towards the end of the match.
Gabriel Jesus & Ethan Nwaneri - N/A
The pair came on late in the match and did not play enough minutes to warrant a rating.
