Premier League GW20 - Fulham vs Arsenal

Fulham vs Arsenal | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

As 2023 draws to a close, Craven Cottage saw a football spectacular that will be remembered well into the next year. Marco Silva's Fulham defeated Arsenal 2-1 in a thrilling match that put a dramatic finish to a difficult month for both sides.

Fulham:

Fulham rose up the standings quite a bit after winning 5-0 earlier this month, but Marco Silva's team has now lost their last three Premier League games without scoring and giving up eight goals. They so hold 14th position with 21 points. Prior to today's match, the Cottagers had lost five of their previous seven Premier League home games against teams from London, and in each of those five losses, they have failed to score. They are also still looking for their first league victory over the Gunners since January 2012, having drawn 2-2 with them in August.

Arsenal:

Arsenal's 10-game unbeaten streak came to an end last week when they lost 2-0 at home to West Ham. As a result, they are now in fourth place, two points behind leaders Liverpool and Aston Villa, and on par with the defending champions Manchester City. Mikel Arteta's team has 10 fewer points at this point in the league season than they did this time last year. However, the Gunners have defeated today's hosts in all five of their previous Premier League away games, scoring three goals or more in each of the previous four.

Line Ups:

FULHAM (4-2-3-1):

Bernd Leno; Timothy Castagne, Tosin Adarabioyo, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Joao Palhinha, Tom Cairney; Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Alex Iwobi, Willian; Raul Jimenez.

SUBS: Marek Rodak, Kenny Tete, Sasa Lukic, Issa Diop, Fode Ballo-Toure, Rodrigo Muniz, Harrison Reed, Andreas Pereira, Harry Wilson.

ARSENAL (4-3-3):

David Raya; Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli.

SUBS: Aaron Ramsdale, Cedric Soares, Jorginho, Leandro Trossard, Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Craven Cottage Stadium | Picture Credits: Lineup For

Fulham's Fightback: Jimenez Strikes:

The Cottagers answered with gritted teeth. After serving his suspension, Jimenez showed off his skills in the 29th minute. After a forceful run down the left by Cairney, Jimenez skillfully converted a pinpoint low cross. The Craven Cottage crowd went wild as Fulham tied the score at one.

With Fulham exhibiting tenacity and Arsenal looking for solutions to take back control, the first half came to a close evenly balanced. The scenario was set for an exciting second half that promised to be a turning point in the match.

Second Half: Fulham Takes the Lead - De Cordova-Reid Seals It:

Fulham's comeback was witnessed in the second half. De Cordova-Reid took advantage of a confused incident in Arsenal's area in the 59th minute by putting the ball into the net from close range. The game changed course when Fulham took the lead.

As the match went on, Raya demonstrated his skill as a custodian by stopping Cairney's hard shot in the 71st minute with a fantastic save. Fulham persisted in applying pressure, and in the 80th minute, Gabriel just failed to connect with Trossard's dangerous cross to extend their lead.

Fulham attempted to take the lead in the final seconds with a magnificent free-kick from Pereira that rattled the crossbar and left Arsenal stunned. The score was still 2-1 despite the visitors' tight escape.

Fulham's Resilience Prevails:

At Craven Cottage, the last whistle blew, signalling Fulham's victorious conclusion to 2023. The Cottagers defeated Arsenal 2-1, a well-earned victory that was achieved because to their tenacity and strength in the closing third. This victory not only puts an end to a difficult stretch of losses for Marco Silva's team, but it also sets a positive tone for the next year.

Arsenal, on the other hand, must reflect after losing two straight games and losing the chance to take the top spot in the Premier League. Fulham relishes the taste of triumph as the year draws to a close, while Arsenal readjusts for the difficulties that lie ahead in 2024. A spectacular display for football fans on New Year's Eve served as a reminder of the sport's surprising beauty.

Saka scored the first goal of the match and gave Arsenal the lead | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Jimenez levelled the score for Fulham | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Reid's goal gave Fulham a 2-1 lead | Picture Credits: Premier League Website