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Arsenal 1-1 Fulham: Gunners grab dramatic point in injury time

By Megan Garbutt

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal (R) scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates Stadium on April 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal (R) scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates Stadium on April 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images) /
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It was certainly not the most exciting of games between a team battling relegation and a team hoping to climb back up the table, but a penalty and a last-minute equaliser gave both teams a point in Sunday afternoon’s Premier League tie between Arsenal and Fulham.

The game started off slowly with neither side showing any intention to create chances until the Gunners’ first chance of the game came in the 7th minute.

Some wonderful play down the right-hand side resulted in a pass from Emile Smith-Rowe, but Gabriel Martinelli’s effort was comfortably saved by Alphonse Areola.

Not long after, Arsenal lost the ball after playing the ball around the back and Ademola Lookman worked the ball brilliantly in the box but unfortunately couldn’t put his chance away.

Another chance for Fulham came for striker Josh Maja, whose well-struck shot took a deflection off Rob Holding and went wide, denying the visitors a goal.

Arsenal were able to get forward plenty and create chances, but their next effort through Smith-Rowe went soaring over the bar.

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Arsenal thought they were 1-0 up through a brilliant Dani Ceballos header following a great cross from Hector Bellerin, but VAR ruled it offside and the Gunners were denied the lead.

The home side were the first to have a close chance after the break after Martinelli carried the ball up the field into the final third, only for Lacazette’s attempted shot to go wide of the post and the Gunners still couldn’t put away their chances.

Not long after, a powerful shot from Bukayo Saka hit the outside of the post and although they were creating the chances and getting forward at every opportunity, the north London side still couldn’t find the back of the net.

It went downhill for the Gunners in the 59th minute when Gabriel stood on Mario Lemina’s toes in the box and, following a VAR decision regarding whether Ola Aina was offside in the build-up, Maja comfortably converted from the spot powerfully and into the roof of the net to put the cottagers 1-0 up.

The biggest blow in the game came when Lacazette went down and came off the field with what seemed to be a hamstring injury. This will be a massive blow for Arsenal, especially as the striker has been in excellent form and is such a crucial leader in the squad.

The chances kept coming for the home side, until the last minute of the game when substitute Eddie Nketiah put the ball into the back of the net following a corner (as well as a VAR check for offside) to snatch a 1-1 draw, with Fulham’s Scott Parker looking very frustrated with the outcome.

Plenty of talking points to mention from this game between the two London teams; here’s what I thought of the game…

1. Alexandre Lacazette injury is trouble for Arsenal

Arsenal Lacazette injury
Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette lay on the floor injured /

Losing any player to injury, however small, is always a blow for any club – and for Arsenal, losing their in-form striker is going to prove difficult for the next few weeks.

The Frenchman went down holding his hamstring in the 70th minute and limped off the pitch unable to continue.

Before coming off, the striker had two shots on goal as well as creating some chances too, but despite being in brilliant goalscoring form, couldn’t find the back of the net against Fulham.

This season, Lacazette has 13 goals in the Premier League and is Arsenal’s top goalscorer of this campaign, having recently scored four in Arsenal’s two previous fixtures before facing the Cottagers.

The 29-year old has shown his leadership skills, as well as the ability to link up superbly well with the younger players in the team such as Smith-Rowe and Saka this season and has become a regular starter, especially as teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still recovering from malaria and hasn’t been near his best form this season.

Arsenal fans will be very worried and hopefully, in the coming days, Arteta will be able to provide clear updates on how long the striker will be on the sidelines.

Arsenal’s next fixtures include Everton (who currently sit higher than the Gunners in the league) at home and following that, their Europa League semi-final first leg away at Villarreal. Without Lacazette and if Aubameyang has not fully recovered, Arsenal will be limited up front in terms of experience going up against tough opponents.

As of now, Arteta doesn’t know the extent of the injury, but as mentioned in his post-match press conference, Lacazette will have a scan on Tuesday which will determine what action Arsenal will need to take.

However long he is out for, Lacazette will be missed by fans and teammates and will be looking to get back out on the field as soon as possible.

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