Fulham 2-1 Arsenal: Gunners beaten and miss chance to go top of Premier League

Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League at new year with a disappointing defeat at Fulham.

The loss left Arsenal fourth and two points behind leaders Liverpool, who host Newcastle on New Year’s Day.

Fulham are 13th after ending a run of three straight defeats.

Arsenal made the perfect start with a fifth-minute opener following a quick break. Gabriel Martinelli’s curling shot from the left was palmed out by former Gunners keeper Bernd Leno, and Saka stuck out his right leg to loop the ball into the net from six yards.

But Fulham reacted well and equalized in the 29th minute when Willian, another ex-Arsenal player in the home ranks, fed captain Tom Cairney down the left and his dangerous low cross was swept in by Jimenez.

Marco Silva’s men claimed a deserved winner from a corner when Decordova-Reid stabbed a finish past David Raya following pinball in the box – condemning Arsenal to consecutive losses following the 2-0 home defeat by West Ham on Thursday.

Blunt Arsenal winless in three games

This result and performance was the closing act of a dismal Christmas period for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, in which they failed to win in three successive Premier League matches for the first time this season.

They have picked up just one point over the past eight days, and would find themselves five behind leaders Liverpool should the Reds beat Newcastle.

Given Arsenal were top at Christmas after taking a point at Anfield on 23 December, it represents a worrying turnaround which Arteta will need to address quickly.

He did make changes here from the loss against West Ham, including starting Eddie Nketiah up front in place of the benched Gabriel Jesus.

But while Nketiah again showed plenty of endeavour, he struggled to make a meaningful impact in attack as Arsenal continued to lack a cutting edge, which will only heighten talk of Arteta needing to sign another striker in January.

Saka’s goal made him the club’s top scorer in the league with six.

Jimenez returns fires up Fulham

Starting this game just six points above the drop zone, Fulham were very grateful to welcome back Jimenez, and also Willian from a hamstring injury.

Brazilian Willian – whose three-year contract at Arsenal was ended in 2021 after a difficult year – had missed the previous three league games, all of which Fulham lost without scoring. Jimenez was sent off for a high tackle in the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle. Both clearly add extra class to Fulham’s attack.

The victory ensured the club did not suffer four consecutive league defeats without scoring for the first time since 1971, and showed where their strengths lie as they bid to climb the table.

Fulham are still seven points worse off than they were after 20 games last season – but with Jimenez back and firing, Silva’s worries will be somewhat alleviated.

They could have won by a more comprehensive margin had Raya not made a flying save to Deny Cairney in the second half, while Andreas Pereira struck the bar with a late free-kick.

Player of the match

Andreas PereiraAndreas Pereira