Arsenal have failed to take advantage of Liverpool not being in action this weekend as a VAR check denied them a late winner against Fulham.The north London outfit were presented with the opportunity to close the gap on the Premier League leaders to four points. However, despite gaining some ground on Arne Slot’s side, the reaction from the Arsenal players at full-time suggested they felt it was two points dropped.
Though they dominated the opening exchanges, the Gunners fell behind after 10 minutes when Raul Jimenez sprung the offside trap, took one touch before drilling an effort beyond David Raya and into the bottom corner. Set-pieces once again proved to be the best route for Mikel Arteta’s side as they equalised early in the second half when Declan Rice's whipped the corner found Kai Havertz who steered the ball into William Saliba's path to score.
With two minutes of normal time to play, Arsenal thought they had scored a winner through Bukayo Saka only for VAR to rule the goal out as substitute was Gabriel Martinelli in an offside position in the build up. A run of three straight Premier League wins comes to an end for the Gunners and it remains to be seen just how damaging this result turns out to be.
Fulham vs Arsenal latest
- VAR rules out Saka goal
- GOAL! Saliba equalises from a set-piece
- GOAL! Raul Jimenez breaks the deadlock
Arsenal player ratings
16:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWilliam Saliba 8
Got Arsenal back on level terms by tapping home from a corner. A second goal in as many games for the Frenchman. The Gunners’ best player, again. Did not put a foot wrong.
Earned another start at centre-back with Gabriel still out injured. Caught out for the first goal by Jimenez’s movement.
Jurrien Timber 6
Moved to left-back with Zinchenko out due to injury. Caught a bit too narrow for Jimenez’s goal, but other than that he was solid.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFULL-TIME: Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+6 min: Declan Rice goes into the book for hauling back Sander Berge.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: Bukayo Saka heads home Gabriel Martinelli’s cross but the goal is ruled out following a VAR check.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne86 min: And the free-kick comes to nothing.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Yellow card for Antonee Robinson. Free-kick for Arsenal in a promising position.
Declan Rice to take...
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Gabriel Martinelli shows his frustration at a throw-in decision not going his way as he throws the ball down and earns himself a yellow card for dissent.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Into the final 10 minutes here at Craven Cottage, plenty of time for both teams to find a winner.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Fulham clear their lines but the ball drops to Declan Rice who fires an effort at goal. It takes a deflection which makes the save a tad bit easier for Leno.
Third Arsenal change follows as Ethan Nwaneri comes on for Martin Odegaard.
Fulham also make a change with Rodrigo Muniz taking the place of goalscorer Raul Jimenez.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: Declan Rice clips a lovely ball into the box, Gabriel Jesus looks to be favourite but he pauses which allows Bernd Leno to collect.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Double Arsenal substitution.
ON: Merino, Gabriel Jesus
OFF: Jorginho, Havertz
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Good break from Fulham as Andreas Pereira races through, he tries to catch Raya out at his near post but the Arsenal keeper makes the save.
Calvin Bassey is then shown a yellow card for a foul on Kai Havertz. He will miss next weekend’s clash against Liverpool.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne69 min: Arsenal should be ahead as Declan Rice picks out Thomas Partey, who unmarked from five yards out, drags his header wide.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Rare Fulham attack in the second half as the ball is floated in from a free-kick, but Arsenal deal with the set-piece.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne64 min: Arsenal attack breaks down on the left as Jurrien Timber overhits a pass to Gabriel Martinelli.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne61 min: Half chance for Arsenal as Martin Odegaard slips in Kai Havertz but the German’s strike isn’t clean enough and the ball dribbles wide.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: Gabriel Martinelli is on for Leandro Trossard.
Meanwhile Emile Smith Rowe is replaced by Andreas Pereira as Harry Wilson replaces Adama Traore.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Standard Sport's Simon Collings at Craven Cottage
Saliba is going to have copy Gabriel and think up his own celebration at this rate.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: It’s all Arsenal now as Declan Rice is inches away from getting his head on Saka’s cross before Leno saves comfortably from Trossard.
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Arsenal | William Saliba '52
15:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne52 min: GOAL FOR ARSENAL
After a VAR check, William Saliba’s goal stands as he turns the ball home from close range. Another set-piece that works to Arsenal’s favour.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne51 min: Great cross from Declan Rice evades everyone, Arsenal work the ball back out to Bukayo Saka whose cross is turned behind for another corner.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
15:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: Antonee Robinson breezes past Thomas Partey and sends an inviting ball into the box but David Raya is alert and makes a great claim.
Sasa Lukic is then booked for a foul on Bukayo Saka.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
15:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: Not the best of starts to the second half for Adama Traore as he gives the ball away a couple of times.
Luckily for the winger, Raul Jimenez steps in to win a free-kick and relieve the pressure.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
15:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Back underway at Craven Cottage.
No changes for either side.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:48 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHALF-TIME: Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Fulham enjoy a period of sustained possession and there’s a concern for Arsenal with Martin Odegaard feeling his ankle following a challenge from Sander Berge.
One minute of additional time is signalled.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: Good defensive header from Jakub Kiwior to deal with Antonee Robinson’s cross after the Fulham left-back had combined well with Adama Traore.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: Issa Diop clears the resulting corner away which brings about a huge cheer from the Fulham fans.
Moments later Declan Rice is inches away from getting something on Bukayo Saka’s cross.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne37 min: Bukayo Saka forces a save from Bernd Leno after skipping past Calvin Bassey. Arsenal win another corner.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: Emile Smith Rowe runs in behind the Arsenal defence and is picked out, however his first touch takes him backwards and the chance goes away.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Here’s the goal that separates the two sides just past the half hour mark.
What a finish from Raúl Jiménez to give Fulham the lead over Arsenal at Craven Cottage! 💫 pic.twitter.com/sOv7zgBDdf
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne29 min: Adama Traore looks to relieve the pressure and take Fulham up the pitch but he gets his pass out to Alex Iwobi all wrong.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne26 min: Leandro Trossard does well to create space down the left-hand side and his cross finds Bukayo Saka who volleys the ball over.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: Standard Sport's Simon Collings at Craven Cottage
Arsenal, as they were before the goal, in control here. Fulham happy to sit in and hit them on the break, with Traore their out-ball.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: Big chance for Arsenal but Declan Rice pulls his effort wide of the far post.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne22 min: Saka whips in a great ball from a corner but Leno deals with it well and then claims the ball after the Arsenal winger had looked to pick out a teammate in the box.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Issa Diop with two crucial interventions in a matter of moments as Arsenal push for an equaliser.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Raul Jimenez has now scored in back-to-back home games against Arsenal.
More importantly, his goal drought is over.
Fulham 1-0 Arsenal
14:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Standard Sport's Simon Collings at Craven Cottage
I think Arsenal will be disappointed with how easily their left side was suddenly wide open there, but it's a great finish from Jimenez, too. Right in the bottom corner.
GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Arsenal | Raul Jimenez '10
14:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: GOAL FOR FULHAM
The hosts take the lead with their first attack of the game as Raul Jimenez takes one touch before smashing the ball past David Raya.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne9 min: Not the best delivery from Bukayo Saka as Fulham deal with the cross comfortably.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
14:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Arsenal win another corner as Bassey turns Saka’s cross behind.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
14:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: Martin Odegaard picks out Kai Havertz’s run in behind the Fulham defence but the offside flag goes up against the Arsenal forward.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
14:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: Standard Sport's Simon Collings at Craven Cottage
Arsenal win their first corner and the away fans start singing: "Set-piece again, ole, ole!"
However, William Saliba glances a header wide.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
14:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Alex Iwobi has started on the right for Fulham with Adama Traore on the opposite flank. It will be interesting to see if they’re allowed to swap wings as the game progresses.
Iwobi sticks to his defensive task well as he concedes a corner.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
14:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne1 min: KICK-OFF!
We are underway in this Premier League clash.
Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Craven Cottage
13:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAbsolutely freezing here, with the wind swirling around the stadium. Being right by the water means this ground is quite exposed, could make for some tough conditions early on.
Here we go!
13:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAntonee Robinson and Martin Odegaard lead the respective teams out
Player handshakes will follow and then kick-off.
Not long now!
13:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLess than 10 minutes to go until kick-off at Craven Cottage.
Arsenal aiming to close the gap on Liverpool to four points, Fulham looking to climb up to fifth.
Pre-match thoughts
13:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport’s Simon Collings is in position at Craven Cottage and has given his thoughts on this afternoon's London derby.
🗣"In terms of the title race this is a game that has ramped up in importance for Arsenal."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 8, 2024
Huge game at Craven Cottage, where @sr_collings is in position to preview Fulham vs Arsenal
LIVE: https://t.co/PYY0A4BKvh#FULARS pic.twitter.com/2drsXEavuN
Fulham incentive
13:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFulham have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, so much so that victory this afternoon could lift them into fifth position in the Premier League table.
Arsenal's back four
13:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport's Simon Collings is at Craven Cottage and he’s made an observation about Arsenal’s back four.
This is the ninth different back-four Arsenal have named in 15 Premier League games this season.
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) December 8, 2024
Only two back-fours have played more than one league game together:
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber
+
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
Rice boost
13:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDeclan Rice starts for Arsenal this afternoon.
In his own words, he has had a “slow start” to the season, but after starring v Man Utd, he’s declared he’s back to his best.
Premier League fixtures today
13:28 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFulham vs Arsenal is one of four Premier League fixtures taking place today.
Elsewhere at 2pm, Ipswich Town host Bournemouth, and Leicester City welcome Brighton to the King Power Stadium.
Then at 4.30pm, Tottenham face Chelsea.
Conditions
13:23 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStorm Darragh has caused plenty of disruption in the UK this weekend.
Thankfully, today’s game goes ahead in what is expected to be played in some extremely difficult conditions.
The storm before the storm. ☔️#FULARS pic.twitter.com/H6FuQF2bpV
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 8, 2024
100 up for Odegaard
13:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMartin Odegaard became a father in the week and this afternoon he captains Arsenal for the 100th time.
A lot was made of this appointment at the start of the 2022/23 season but it’s safe to say Mikel Arteta’s decision has been justified.
Zinchenko absence
13:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal have revealed that Oleksandr Zinchenko misses out today through injury.
His place in the matchday squad goes to youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Iwobi danger
13:08 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThere has been a lot of talk about Emile Smith Rowe in the build up to today’s game but there’s another ex-Arsenal player who is better form at the moment.
Alex Iwobi has three goals and an assist to his name from his last three appearances, scoring on his last two outings at Craven Cottage.
He’s certainly one to keep an eye on.
Fulham changes
13:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt’s four changes for Fulham from the win over Brighton as Raul Jimenez, Sasa Lukic, Adama Traore and Kenny Tete return with Timothy Castagne, Harry Wilson, Reiss Nelson and Rodrigo Muniz dropping out.
Marco Silva's Fulham. 🤍#FULARS pic.twitter.com/n1yF9yh7E3
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 8, 2024
Two changes for Arsenal
12:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTwo changes to the Arsenal side that started the 2-0 win over Manchester United in midweek and it’s forced a reshuffle.
Oleksandr Zinchenko makes way for Jorginho which means Thomas Partey switches to right-back and Jurrien Timber moves over to the other flank.
Elsewhere it’s a straight swap in attack as Leandro Trossard is recalled in place of Gabriel Martinelli.
🟣 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 8, 2024
💪 Timber switches to left-back
💯 Odegaard captains us for the 100th time
🪄 Trossard on the wing
Let's pick up where we left off, Gunners 👊 pic.twitter.com/SxCMQgk4sb
Arsenal XI
12:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Substitutes: Neto, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Heaven, Merino, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Sterling, Jesus
Fulham XI
12:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFulham XI: Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Adama, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Substitutes: Benda, Castagne, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Andreas, King, Godo, Wilson, Muniz
Team news imminent
12:39 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are expecting the starting line-ups for both Fulham and Arsenal to be announced shortly.
Stay tuned...
Fulham stat
12:34 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAn interesting statistic ahead of kick-off, Fulham have scored and conceded in every home game in the league so far this season.
However, they are yet to record back-to-back home wins and go into this game on the back of a 3-1 victory over Brighton.
Marco Silva previews the game
12:29 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFulham boss Marco Silva believes there is zero chance Arsenal will be taking his side lightly this afternoon after what happened last season.
“No-one surprises anyone in Premier League no more,” he said. “You know how Mikel [Arteta] and the Arsenal team respect everybody in this competition, they know that it’s really tough to play and win games at this level.
“And probably they are going to be even more aware because the reality is we played two great games against them last season – at the Emirates with the draw, and of course with the three points at Craven Cottage.
“But I really believe that it’s going to be even more difficult. Firstly, because with the game last night, it’s going to be [a] really short [turnaround], and because they are in a great moment, definitely.
“And they are going to be more aware, probably, about our strengths, and it's going to be tougher for us. But we like this type of challenge."
Arteta on Smith Rowe transfer
12:24 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta says it was a “very tough decision” to let Emile Smith Rowe go this summer, but has explained part of the reasoning behind it.
“We allowed Fabio [Vieira] to go as well because we wanted to create the room and the space for Ethan [Nwaneri],” the Arsenal manager said.
“He has given us every reason to trust him. He’s shown that he’s ready to make the next step and it’s great to have him.”
Last time out
12:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFulham took four points off Arsenal last season with Raul Jimenez scoring the equaliser in the corresponding fixture just under a year ago.
The 33-year-old hasn't scored in his previous six Premier League appearances, will he end the drought today?
Raúl on the scoresheet in our last clash with the Gunners. 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/crJdAf38jN
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 7, 2024
Predicted Arsenal XI
12:14 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIf Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori are able to return to the team then it could be that Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko make way.
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta could also look to make a change in attack with Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus all options should the Arsenal boss rotate his squad during what is a busy month.
Smith Rowe 'excited' to face former club
12:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAfter swapping North London for West London during the summer, naturally this fixture is special to Emile Smith Rowe.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, the attacking midfielder is excited for the reunion with his former club.
“It’s a massive game for me personally,” he said. “At the start of the season, in my head I’ve always been thinking about playing against my former team. It’s going to be an exciting game.
“I think it’s going to be a bit weird, knowing the players for so long, and having been there for a lot of my life, so it probably is going to be a bit of an emotional day.
“But I have to make sure I do the job for Fulham.”
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Arsenal kit selection
12:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at Craven Cottage as the Arsenal dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
For only the second time this season, the Gunners will be wearing their third kit. They suffered a 2-0 loss against Bournemouth on the previous occasion.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
11:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFulham wins: 9
Draws: 12
Arsenal wins: 42
Prediction
11:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal were beaten here by Fulham last season but have been flying over the last few games. It will be difficult to stop them.
Arsenal to win, 2-0.
Arsenal team news
11:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal are hoping to have Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori available after the defenders missed the midweek win over Manchester United. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both injured.
Fulham team news
11:44 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Cottagers won’t have Reiss Nelson available due to the terms of his loan move from the Gunners. In addition, Tom Cairney is suspended and Harrison Reed and Joachim Andersen are expected to miss out.
However, Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi and Bernd Leno are in line to face their former club.
How to watch
11:39 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
11:34 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGood morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Fulham and Arsenal.
The game is scheduled to go ahead as planned despite Storm Darragh battering parts of the UK this weekend and causing a number of postponements, most notably the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool.
This does hand Arsenal a chance to narrow the gap on the league leaders to four points, though they face a Fulham side that beat them in the corresponding fixture last season.
It's sure to be an interesting game at Craven Cottage. Kick-off is at 2pm GMT, stick with us.
