A thrilling London derby between Arsenal and Fulham left Arsenal fans feeling a mix of emotions. With a narrow victory, Arsenal extended their lead over Liverpool, but the match had its fair share of controversies and missed opportunities.
Arsenal's Narrow Escape at Craven Cottage
Arsenal's performance against Fulham was a rollercoaster ride, and here's a detailed breakdown of how the players fared:
David Raya (6): A quiet game for Raya, who was more of a distributor than a shot-stopper. His calm presence ensured Arsenal's defense remained composed.
Jurrien Timber (6): Timber, usually sharp, had an off day in the first half, losing possession in key areas. It wasn't his best display in an Arsenal shirt.
William Saliba (7): Caught out on the break, Saliba couldn't prevent Raul Jimenez's run, but thankfully, Wilson's finish was wayward.
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Riccardo Calafiori (7): Unlucky to be ruled offside after a stunning volley. His 'chaos mode' saw another volley go just over the bar.
Martin Zubimendi (7): Consistent as always, Zubimendi orchestrated from deep and moved into advanced positions seamlessly.
Declan Rice (7): Rice's through ball to Gyokeres in the opening minutes was a highlight. He came close to scoring before halftime with a strike that just missed the target.
Eberechi Eze (6): Loose with the ball, Eze's mistake led to a chance for Josh King. He was substituted in the 62nd minute.
Bukayo Saka (8): Saka's brilliant pass to Gyokeres created a chance before halftime. He nearly scored a stunning goal but was denied by Leno. A standout performance.
Viktor Gyokeres (6): Gyokeres had a quiet game overall. He missed a good chance from close range, sending the ball soaring over the bar.
Leandro Trossard (8): Trossard's defensive work was impressive, cutting out Fulham's attacks. He found the net with a clever flick, guiding Gabriel's header into the net. A man of the match performance.
Substitutions:
Mikel Merino (6): Merino had a great chance to strike but mishit his attempt.
Gabriel Martinelli (6): Martinelli's overhead kick was blocked.
Christian Norgaard (n/a): Came on too late to make an impact.
And here's the part most people miss: Arsenal's victory was hard-fought, but the team's performance had its ups and downs. It's a fine line between success and disappointment in football, and this match showcased that perfectly.
What do you think? Was Arsenal's performance good enough, or did they leave room for improvement? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on this thrilling London derby!
