31 December 2023 , 17:01
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Mikel Arteta claimed Arsenal have no chance of winning the title unless they improve in both boxes.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, they are not good enough at everything else in between either. A bad festive period turned into a downright disaster with defeat at Craven Cottage to make it just one point from a possible nine in their three games.
Arsenal were top at Christmas but have somehow contrived to go into the New Year in fourth after back-to-back defeats to West Ham and now Fulham. But while the apologists were looking for excuses about how many chances they created after losing to West Ham, no one should dress this performance up as anything but abject, arrogant and a lame surrender.
Fulham had way too much determination, passion and work rate, which is perhaps the most damning thing of all for Arsenal because they were second best in every department. You simply cannot win titles while losing games like this and maybe people have been indulging Arteta for so long that Arsenal are possibly not half as good as they think they are.
Fulham even gave Arsenal a one-goal head start and the visitors let that slip because they took their foot off the gas, stopped doing the good things and let the game get away from them. It was Fulham who could - and probably should - have scored more goals and Marco Silva's men went off to a standing ovation after their first home win over Arsenal in 12 attempts.
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And they were worth it. Fulham defied expectations last season, they are doing it again this time while Arsenal appear to be going backwards fast.
Arsenal were the feel good story of last season with their unlikely title challenge and maybe that fooled them into thinking this year would be even better. But the Gunners look miles off it and, while Arteta can point to a crowded fixture list and schedule, they are not the only ones and are not half as good as last season.
Arsenal have not even found the right formula to get themselves into a rhythm and their wide players are not as effective either. This is a really worrying time for Arteta with not much scope to freshen things up in the January window either as they certainly need fresh ideas and legs.
Mikel Arteta needs to find the answer to Arsenal's problems (Getty Images)What did you make of Arsenal's defeat to Fulham? Let us know in the comments below!
They did take the lead inside five minutes and you thought that would be lift-off. Gabriel Martinelli’s curling shot was saved by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno and Bukayo Saka stayed just onside to divert the rebound home. But Arsenal allowed Fulham to take charge and Raul Jimenez was denied by David Raya even before the home side levelled.
When the equaliser came, it was deserved. Fulham winger Willian released Tom Cairney on the overlap down the left, his deep cross found Jimenez sliding in at the back post and he fired in his fourth goal in as many games. Martinelli steered a big chance wide before the break and then Arteta hooked Jakub Kiwior for Takehiro Tomiyasu at half-time.
You expected a reaction. It never came. Arsenal struggled to put together moves and create chances. Fulham, meanwhile, created more danger and Arsenal looked very suspect in defence. The winner came after 59 minutes.
Willian’s corner swing in, Joao Palhinha headed on, the ball hit Tomiyasu and De Cordova-Reid fired in from close range. As the rain poured down, Craven Cottage went wild. Saka had a couple of chances but Fulham had just as many if not more.
This was no freak result or lucky win. Fulham deserved it and Arsenal should learn some painful lessons from defeat if they are going to do anything this season.