6 talking points as Arsenal held by 10-man Fulham after early Ramsdale error
Arsenal missed a golden chance to extend their perfect start to the season as Joao Palhinha gave 10-man Fulham a late point in North London.
Andreas Pereira stunned the Gunners just a minute into the game, catching out Aaron Ramsdale from distance to give the visitors an early lead. Arsenal rallied, and Martin Odegaard had an effort chalked off for an offside in the build-up, but the away side took a lead into the break.
Mikel Arteta rang the changes in an effort to get his team back on terms, and one of the subs - Fabio Vieira - won the penalty from which Bukayo Saka equalised before laying on Eddie Nketiah's go-ahead goal. Calvin Bassey was then sent off for the visitors, fouling Nketiah to earn a second yellow card, but Palhinha stunned the hosts after turning in a corner.
Mikel Arteta's team went into the game looking to continue their 100 per cent start to the season. Their opponents were coming off a derby defeat to Brentford, and were winless against the Gunners since 2012.
It didn't take the visitors long to go in front, though, and Arsenal only had themselves to blame. Bukayo Saka's ball back was right into the path of Pereira, who didn't connect how he might of wanted with his quickly-taken effort but still did enough to beat the off-balance Aaron Ramsdale.
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Joao Palhinha scored a big late goal for Fulham (AP)Arsenal had plenty of chances to level things up in the first period, with Kai Havertz and Saka both missing from close range. Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli both stung the palms of former team-mate Bernd Leno, who had a busy afternoon.
Two quickfire goals appeared to have won it, only for Palhinha to break Arsenal hearts. Here are Mirror Football's talking points.
1. Vieira comes up big
Fabio Vieira has, it's fair to say, not quite lived up to his price tag. In this game, though, he showed his quality.
First there was the burst of pace to lure Tete into a foul for Arsenal's penalty, and then there was the inch-perfect ball for Nketiah. In the space of just a few minutes, we saw two of the reasons why Arsenal were so keen to snap him up.
They'll hope the lack of a pre-season last year was the bigger issue. If Vieira can fire on all cylinders - something Kai Havertz failed to do before making way for the Portuguese - it could make a big difference this term.
A goal for Vieira would have done even more for his confidence, and he almost got it. It took two big Bernd Leno stops to deny him and keep the game level.
2. Still no Gabriel
With Takehiro Tomiyasu suspended, plenty of eyes were on Mikel Arteta's defensive selections. Gabriel was only a substitute for the first two games, but might he come back in for the visit of Fulham?
The answer was no. Nor was Oleksandr Zinchenko recalled, with Arteta instead opting for Jakub Kiwior on the left to deal with the threat of Harry Wilson on the Fulham right.
Mikel Arteta has spoken about Gabriel's absence (AP)""I don’t know if he understands but I told him," Arteta said of Gabriel's absence. "I think he understands the reason, whether he agrees or not, that’s something different."
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It may be the case that, with Zinchenko not fit to start at left-back, the manager wanted a different kind of left-sided centre-back. With the Ukrainian getting more than half an hour under his belt today, and Ben White moving back to right-back in the process, we could see a change next time out.
3. Nketiah responds to benching
Eddie Nketiah had his moments on Monday against Crystal Palace, but made way for Leandro Trossard this time out. The Belgian started up top against Fulham in March, when Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win, and perhaps this was in the back of the manager's mind.
(Getty Images)While nominally operating as a striker, Trossard still drifted left at times, with Kai Havertz allowed to make runs behind from deep. The fluidity helped Arsenal create openings in the first half, but Arteta decided a change was needed at the break and in came Nketiah.
The number 14 showed no ill-effects of the benching, and indeed may have felt he had a point to prove. The run and finish for his goal was one which some may feel Trossard wouldn't have been capable of delivering.
4. Jesus made to wait
There was a loud cheer inside the Emirates Stadium when Gabriel Jesus' name was read out before kick-off. The Brazilian had yet to feature this season, but is back after injury and ready to contribute.
Jesus hasn't always been the most pinpoint with his finishing, but plenty will feel he would have done better with some of the hosts' first-half chances. Bernd Leno, when he was tested at all, didn't have to work hard to deny his former employers.
When the first changes were made, though, the number nine wasn't the man introduced. Nketiah and Fabio Vieira both took to the field in advanced roles, while Oleksandr Zinchenko also came in as part of a defensive reshuffle.
Jesus was finally introduced moments after the board went up to signal nine added minutes. He'll hope to contribute more next time out though.
5. Ramsdale prompts goalkeeper questions
Aaron Ramsdale won't want to look back at too many replays of Pereira's opener. The Arsenal keeper often helps his team-mates by taking a high starting position, but this time it was his downfall.
Aaron Ramsdale after conceding Fulham's opener (PA)If there's any saving grace, it'll be that fellow keeper David Raya knows how he feels. The Spaniard has his own experience of straying off his line against Fulham and being beaten from range - in his case for Brentford in the Championship play-off final back in 2020.
Some Arsenal fans might find themselves calling for Raya to start the next game, against Manchester United. Even worse, former Gunners keeper Leno reminded his old employers of his quality with a number of important stops.
6. Palhinha key to Fulham's hopes
Today was also Joao Palhinha's first start of the season, with the Fulham midfielder back from a shoulder injury sustained in pre-season. The former Sporting star came off the bench against Brentford in the Cottagers' last game, but by then they were already two goals and a man behind.
Palhinha provided a reminder of his quality just after the 20-minute mark, winning a tackle deep in his own half and setting up a counter-attack which ended with Raul Jimenez firing narrowly wide. And he fully desered his goal, turning in a corner after a well-timed run.
It was moments like these which showed why there has been interest in the Portuguese, and why Fulham's asking price is so high The Cottagers' bigger issue is the lack of quality around the 28-year-old. Their season could hinge a lot on whether he stays, and whether he stays fit.
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