Bobby Decordova-Reid and Raul Jimenez scored as Marco Silva`s win-craving Fulham found a victory in a surprising place, coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
The Gunners closed off an uneven 2023 with a face plant, losing a second-straight London derby to extend their Premier League winless run to three games. Mikel Arteta’s would-be title fighters are 1W-2D-3L in all comps since beating Luton Town on Dec. 5
[ MORE: What’s wrong with Arsenal? Mikel Arteta reaction ]
Bukayo Saka scored the Arsenal goal but also missed a big chance in the loss, as Arsenal sit fourth. The Gunners are two points off the top of the table and have played one more game than Liverpool. Arteta’s men are now just a point ahead of Tottenham.
The Cottagers strike twice despite having not scored since the 89th minute of a 5-0 win over West Ham on Dec. 10. The win pulls Fulham onto 24 points, nine clear of the bottom three.
So disappointing from Gunners
Arsenal is going to look back on December as an opportunity wasted to cement itself as a Premier League title fighter.
That’s not say the Gunners cannot rebound — not at all — but this stretch has been so sad from Mikel Arteta’s men. Fulham is a bottom-four side in xG and barely better in xGA. The Cottagers hadn’t scored in a couple of weeks and entered the day out-attempted 181-158 in open play.
WATCH FULHAM vs ARSENAL FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
No matter on Sunday, even after Fulham handed the Gunners a fifth-minute lead. Arsenal were out-attempted and barely claimed the xG crown despite 61% possession.
Four points from 15 is not acceptable, and Mikel Arteta was seething after the game.
“You have to play 100 minutes in this league,” Arteta said. “It’s not enough to play a few actions. We didn’t deserve to win a game.”
Correct. This might just be the Gunners tossing aside a second-straight Premier League title chance.
What’s next?
Arsenal host Liverpool at 11:30am ET Sunday in a huge FA Cup third round tilt, then get 13 days to prepare for a Jan. 20 visit from Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Fulham will host Rotherham on Friday afternoon in the FA Cup before beginning the League Cup semifinal tie with Liverpool on Jan. 10 at Anfield. A trip to Chelsea restarts life in the Premier League on Jan. 13 and then the second leg with Liverpool is at Craven Cottage on Jan. 24
Fulham vs Arsenal final score: 2-1
Goal: Saka (5'), Jimenez (29'), Decordova-Reid (59')
Bobby Decordova-Reid goal (video)
It’s a set piece, and Fulham’s in front.
The service is headed into trouble and pinballs around for Decordova-Reid to lunge over the line.
Wow. Fulham doesn’t always resemble a threat, but never goes away.
Raul Jimenez goal (video): Fulham ties it up
This is a surgical counter from the Cottagers.
Calvin Bassey turns over Arsenal and Palhinha drives the ball up to Tom Cairney.
Fulham’s captain runs the left side and sends a seeing-eye cross to the back post, and Raul Jimenez makes a difficult finish look easy.
It’s somehow 1-1, and this is very Marco Silva.
Bukayo Saka goal (video)
Oh, this could be a long one.
It starts from the back, and it’s not long before Arsenal has cut the length of the pitch to make it 1-0.
Gabriel Martinelli’s shot is saved by Bernd Leno but the ex-Arsenal man can only watch as Bukayo Saka is there to deposit the rebound after just five minutes of play.
How to watch Fulham vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 9am ET, Sunday (December 31)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Stream Premier League on Peacock
Fulham lineup
Your final Fulham XI of the year! 👊#FULARS pic.twitter.com/X698T7psAP
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 31, 2023
Arsenal lineup
🟢 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 31, 2023
🧱 Kiwior at the back
🔙 Havertz returns from suspension
📞 Nketiah leads the line
Let's end the year strongly, Gunners 👊 pic.twitter.com/GO6OvALAob
Focus on Fulham, team news
OUT: Adama Traore (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Tim Ream (calf), Willian (hamstring)
Focus on Arsenal, team news
OUT: Thomas Partey (thigh), Jurrien Timber (torn ACL - out for season), Fabio Vieira (hip), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf)