Arsenal FC remain without a point after matchday four. The Gunners fell behind in the second half of their city clash with Fulham, but fought back successfully
18 years have passed since the Gunners last started a season with three wins. Accordingly euphoric and with a broad chest, the league leader entered the city duel with the West Londoners from Fulham.
Mikel Arteta had to do without Zinchenko and Thomas after the 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth, both of whom were absent due to injury, while Tierney and Elneny moved into the starting eleven.
Arsenal started with a lot of pressure, Fulham, who had not lost yet this season either, restricted themselves to defensive work. The Cottagers succeeded quite well, the Gunners had hardly any penalty area actions despite creative ideas from Gabriel Jesus and Ödegaard.
Leno experiences quiet first half – Mitrovic surprises Gabriel
The first approach came via Xhaka in minute 16 and overall German keeper Leno, who only moved to the west from north London this summer, enjoyed a quiet first half. Only against Saka did Leno have to make himself wide (34th), then it was goalless into the dressing rooms.
Arsenal FC came out of the catacombs a little more determined – but suddenly found themselves trailing: Gabriel misplayed the ball against Mitrovic in his own penalty area and the Serbian obliged, scoring his fourth goal of the season (56th).
Ödegaard leads the way – Gabriel, of all people
Was the leader getting nervous now? Not at all. Less than ten minutes later, the Gunners managed the answer. Saka brought Ödegaard into play, whose slightly deflected shot presented Leno with an impossible task (64th).
With that, everything was open again. And in the truest sense of the word, because all of a sudden the Cottagers also got involved in the game, Mitrovic only narrowly failed with a header (67.).
The longer the game went on, the more the visitors pulled back to take the point. The defence held out for a long time, which was also due to a confident Leno, who radiated a lot of security – but then fluffed late on: At a corner that went into the five-yard box, there was a lot of traffic in front of the German, who grabbed the ball next to him. Gabriel, of all people, grabbed the rebound and scored the celebrated 2:1 (85th).
It was to be the final goal of the game as Ramsdale saved from Chalobah shortly afterwards to maintain Arsenal’s unblemished record. Fulham, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat of the season late on.
There’s not much respite in the Premier League with an English week ahead. The Gunners host Aston Villa on Wednesday (8.30pm), Fulham host Brighton & Hove Albion a day earlier.
