Arsenal faced a disappointing end to 2023 as Fulham secured a surprising 2-1 comeback victory at Craven Cottage. The Gunners, looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat to West Ham, took an early lead with Bukayo Saka tapping home a loose ball. However, Fulham responded strongly, with Raul Jimenez leveling the score before half-time.
Arsenal struggled to find their footing in the second half, failing to muster a shot on target. Bobby De Cordova-Reid sealed the comeback for Fulham in the 59th minute, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side with just one win in their last five league matches.
Fulham’s win, ending a three-game winless streak, propelled them to 13th in the table. The victory was particularly significant as it marked their first league win against Arsenal since January 2012.
The match started perfectly for Arsenal, with Saka scoring in the fifth minute after a swift attack. However, Fulham, undeterred by falling behind, created chances of their own. Jimenez’s goal, assisted by Tom Cairney, brought them level.
The second half saw Fulham dominating with De Cordova-Reid’s goal, while Arsenal struggled to create opportunities. The rainstorm during the game mirrored Arsenal’s difficult situation as they failed to mount a successful comeback.
Arsenal’s woes continued as they suffered their second consecutive defeat in the Premier League. The loss marked the end of their 48-game unbeaten run when scoring the opening goal.
Fulham’s victory was a significant milestone, breaking their 11-game winless run against Arsenal in the Premier League. Jimenez’s recent form and De Cordova-Reid’s contribution highlighted Fulham’s impressive performance, leaving Arsenal to reflect on a challenging end to the year.
As the curtains close on 2023, Arsenal will need to regroup and find their form in the upcoming matches to regain their momentum in the Premier League.
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