FULHAM 2-1 ARSENAL: FULHAM COMEBACK DENIES ARSENAL TOP SPOT ONCE MORE

December 31, 2023

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By Sefiu Ajape

Arsenal’s disastrous end to 2023 continued as Fulham came from behind to defeat Mikel Arteta’s team 2-1 and deny them the Premier League’s top spot.

After losing to West Ham midweek, the visitors got off to the ideal start when Bukayo Saka scored the first goal for the Gunners in the fifth minute with a tap-in from close range after Bernd Leno could only parry Gabriel Martinelli’s attempt.

In response, Fulham came back to tie the score after three goalless Premier League games, thanks to a goal from Raul Jimenez, who headed in Tom Cairney’s cross.

Arsenal had yet another incredibly tough afternoon as they were unable to muster a shot on goal in the second half and were unable to stop Fulham’s momentum as Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored the game’s winning goal in the 59th minute to give Marco Silva’s team a happy ending to the year.

With the victory, Fulham moves up to 13th place in the standings, ending a run of three straight losses without a goal.

Arteta’s team, meanwhile, has only triumphed once in their previous five league games. The defeat caps a miserable few days as they stay fourth and miss out on a second chance to go top of the Premier League, leaving Liverpool with an opportunity to go three points clear when they face Newcastle on New Year’s Day, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 8pm).