Arsenal remain top of the standings as goals from Martin Odegaard and Gabriel saw them come from behind to defeat Fulham, who had opened the scoring through Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The first half was one of frustration for the hosts, with 75 percent of the possession and seven efforts at goal, but unable to break down a resilient Fulham. The sense of urgency from the hosts was evident from the off; as Martin Odegaard robbed Tosin Adarabioyo of the ball to create an opening but – in a pattern that developed throughout the game – Arsenal lacked the ice-cold killer touch in the final third.
Territorial they were dominant but Arsenal’s clear sights of goal were fleeting; Granit Xhaka fluffed his lines after Gabriel Jesus cut-back a raking Odegaard pass while the former Manchester City forward and Gabriel Martinelli both were denied by last-ditch challenges. The one big opening of the half saw Bukayo Saka capitalise on a lapse in concentration from Antonee Robinson to ghost in on goal, but he was denied by a superb Bernd Leno save.
As quiet as the opening period was, the second half was frantic. Mitrovic pouncing on Gabriel’s mistake to fire Fulham into the lead against the run of play, before both sides spurned multiple opportunities. Odegaard’s deflected effort levelled the score preceding Gabriel netting the late winner after William Saliba’s initial header from a corner.
Here are Mirror Football’s winners and losers from an entertaining encounter at The Emirates.
WINNERS
Bernd Leno
The 30-year-old was back at Arsenal just weeks after his transfer was completed only weeks ago – and he was here to prove a point. Having been the regular shot-stopper for three seasons at Arsenal, he was ousted by Aaron Ramsdale a year ago and prioritised regular football this campaign.
The German produced an assured performance throughout this game and stood up trumps in all the big moments – most notably an outstanding one-on-onesave from Bukayo Saka just after the half-hour mark.
Less than a minute before Fulham equalised, Leno produced a fine save to deny Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard’s equalising goal only beat the German through a heavy deflection. Leno will believe he could have done better for Arsenal's winner - as he was battled off the ball by Saliba and Gabriel - but it was the one lapse in an otherwise assured performance.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
The Serbian striker netted just three goals in Fulham’s last campaign in the Premier League two seasons ago – he has already surpassed that this time round. Having scored twice against Liverpool and once again Brentford, the former Newcastle forward was on target again at the Emirates.
While the defending from Gabriel was pedestrian and careless, Mitrovic was alive in the area and instantly did enough to unsettle the defender, rob the ball and produce a composed finish past Aaron Ramsdale.
Mitrovic did far more than just score, with his hold-up play, aerial threat and ability to win free-kicks evident throughout. He is the Fulham talisman and if they are to break their run of Premier League season relegations, he will be crucial to it.
Eddie Nketiah
The 23-year-old started just eight Premier League games last season and his time on the pitch before this game had totally just 28 minutes across three substitute appearances. Yet Mikel Arteta turned to him just after the hour mark with the Gunners trailing, and his introduction helped turn the game on its head.
Nketiah added attacking impetus and tangible energy in the final third, providing a foil for Gabriel Jesus and preventing Fulham from playing the ball out from the back. He posed a different threat for Fulham to deal with and his introduction was the turning point. Half of Arsenal's shots came in the 29 minutes he was on the pitch.
LOSERS
Gabriel Magalhaes
The Brazilian defender had been building a promising central defensive partnership with William Saliba this campaign, with Ben White moved into the right-back position as Mikel Arteta seeked to accommodate both in the team.
After early season clean sheets in wins over Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, the threat of Fulham’s Mitrovic proved to be the biggest attacking challenge for Arsenal to date. Unfortunately for Gabriel, his pondering on the ball in his own area from an unwanted – but far from terrible – Bukayo Saka pass gave Mitrovic the opportunity to pounce and break the deadlock.
Gabriel took far too much time on the ball and was then easily outmuscled by the Serbian, before putting his head in hands – knowing that he was responsible for the goal, which had come against the run of play. The defender was rattled in the period after, once again losing out to Mitrovic after taking too much time on the ball. Gabriel atoned for his error by getting the final touch on Arsenal’s winning goal and ultimately being the match winner, but his errors may cause a defensive rethink.
Andreas Pereira
First thing is first – the role that the former Manchester United had to carry out during this game was arguably the toughest on the pitch. He was the one creative outlet in a side who had less than a third of the game’s possession and was often crowded out by Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny.
The Brazilian is looking to make a name for himself in the Premier League after having been little more than a bit-part player at Old Trafford, and his early weeks in Marco Silva’s side have proved promising – there is little doubt that he will play a key role for Fulham this season.
But in games like this – in which there will be many throughout the season – where Fulham are camped inside their own half and have little possession, Pereira was anonymous and gave the ball away cheaply when Fulham needed more of a foothold.
Kieran Tierney
The left-back was handed his first start of the season due to an injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko, whose excellent form in the opening weeks of the campaign had seen him usurp the former Celtic player.
One big advantage that Zinchenko brings to this Arsenal side is his attacking threat and technique on the ball, having naturally been a central midfielder. It was Tierney who was the first to make way for the Gunners, just after the hour mark, with Arsenal chasing a goal.
The Scot had a quiet game and failed to make his presence count in the final third, which Arsenal needed again a visiting side who were happy to sit back and forego meaningful possession. Tierney has been excellent for Arsenal in seasons gone-by but may struggle for a regular run of games following Zinchenko’s arrival.
