Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations suffered a significant blow on Saturday afternoon as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a determined Fulham side at Craven Cottage.
The Gunners started brightly and were rewarded early when Bukayo Saka continued his impressive form, firing home from close range after just five minutes. The England international capitalised on a defensive error to give the visitors what seemed like a comfortable platform.
Fulham's Spirited Response
Despite Arsenal's dominant start, Marco Silva's men refused to lie down. The Cottagers grew into the game and found their equaliser just before the hour mark. João Palhinha, Fulham's midfield enforcer, rose highest to powerfully head home from a corner, sending the home fans into raptures.
The drama intensified when Arsenal were awarded a penalty shortly after. Eddie Nketiah stepped up and calmly converted, seemingly restoring order and putting the North London side back on course for all three points.
Late Heartbreak for Arteta's Men
However, Fulham had other ideas. In a dramatic finale, Aleksandar Mitrović demonstrated his aerial prowess, nodding in from another set-piece to level the scores once more and secure a hard-earned point for the home side.
The result leaves Arsenal with questions to answer about their defensive resilience, particularly from dead-ball situations. Mikel Arteta will be deeply frustrated by his team's inability to see out the game after twice taking the lead.
For Fulham, this performance showcased their fighting spirit and ability to compete with the league's elite, proving they are more than capable of holding their own in the top flight.
