Arsenal visited Craven Cottage to take a Fulham side that has been full with confidence after a resounding victory over Brighton in the last Premier League matchday.
Without further ado, here are the key takeaways from the draw with Fulham.
More fitness challenges for the Gunners
Fulham v Arsenal 08 December 2024, London – Premier League Football – Fulham v Arsenal – Jurrien Timber of Arsenal and Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal at the centre of the action for a corner – Photo: Jacques Feeney / Offside. London UK *** Fulham gegen Arsenal 08 Dezember 2024, London Premier League Fußball Fulham gegen Arsenal Jurrien Timber von Arsenal und Jakub Kiwior von Arsenal im Mittelpunkt des Geschehens nach einer Ecke Foto Jacques Feeney Abseits London UK PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJacquesxFeeneyx/xOffsidexOffside
Despite the update from Mikel Arteta regarding the fitness information of the players, Gabriel wasn’t deemed fit to start, so Jakub Kiwior played in his stead, but the most significant change was Oleksandr Zinchenko suffering yet another injury and with Riccardo Calafiori not fit enough to play a part, Arteta re-routed Jurrien Timber to the left and redeployed Thomas Partey to a right back berth.
Formational shuffles affected Arsenal’s play
Fulham v Arsenal Premier League Arsenal s Thomas Partey during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London UK Newspapers OUT Copyright: xDanielxHamburyx FIL-21062-0107
This dismantled Arsenal’s play, as Timber has become a formidable force on the right, playing in that triangle with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, providing the much-needed width when they drift inwards, while Partey is undoubtedly Arsenal’s best holding midfielder, and with Fulham using a double pivot of Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic, Partey would have been a better combative force in the middle of the park, rather than Jorginho.
Lack of potency in attack
Premier League Fulham v Arsenal Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal reacts to a missed chance during the Premier League match Fulham vs Arsenal at Craven Cottage, London, United Kingdom, 8th December 2024 Photo by Gareth Evans/News Images Copyright: xGarethxEvans/NewsxImagesx
Kai Havertz might have done well to create an assist for William Saliba from yet another set piece, but his open play ability left a lot to be desired. Gabriel Jesus came on for Havertz as a substitute and was a complete shadow of himself, completing just one of six passes, and had just eight touches of the ball in 20+ minutes. If Arsenal wants to make a genuine title challenge this season, Arteta will need to sign a quality center forward.
The club has been linked with moves for Viktor Gyokeres and I sincerely hope they do all it takes to get it over the line.
Inconsistent performances from ex-Gunners
Palace v Fulham 9 November 2024, London – Premier League Football – Crystal Palace v Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe of Fulham celebrates scoring the opening goal with Reiss Nelson – Photo: Charlotte Wilson / Offside. London UK *** Palace gegen Fulham 9. November 2024, London Premier League Fußball Crystal Palace gegen Fulham Emile Smith Rowe von Fulham feiert den Führungstreffer mit Reiss Nelson Foto Charlotte Wilson Abseits London UK PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xCharlottexWilsonx/xOffsidexOffside
There was some additional spotlight on the former Gunners currently plying their trade for Fulham and a lot was expected from their new signing, Emile Smith Rowe, against his former employers, but he failed to make any impact on the game beyond the hour mark before he was yanked off for Andreas Pereira.
Alex Iwobi played the full game and failed to muster any shot with only one pass to the final third, when compared to the stormer he had in the previous game. Bernd Leno, as expected, had a great game, making vital saves that kept the game at bay.
