Arsenal’s Premier League title problem suffered one other blow in a 2-1 defeat at Fulham on Sunday, as Tottenham beat Bournemouth 3-1 to shut in on their north London rivals. The Gunners’ excessive hopes of a primary league title in 20 years have been rocked by two damaging defeats in 4 days. Mikel Arteta was in search of a response after dropping 2-0 at dwelling to West Ham on Thursday and the guests began brightly at Craven Cottage.
Bukayo Saka pounced to faucet dwelling his first aim in six video games after Bernd Leno parried Gabriel Martinelli’s preliminary effort.
However Arsenal didn’t construct on their early benefit and Fulham hit again to snap a three-game dropping run within the Premier League with out even scoring a aim.
Raul Jimenez was badly missed throughout his three-game ban for a crimson card at Newcastle and the Mexican kickstarted the Fulham fightback along with his fourth aim in as many video games.
Former Arsenal winger Willian despatched Tom Cairney free down the left and his harmful low cross was swept dwelling by Jimenez on the again submit.
Martinelli was inches away from restoring Arsenal’s lead earlier than the break.
However it was Fulham who have been the higher aspect within the second half they usually acquired their reward simply earlier than the hour mark.
Arsenal didn’t clear a nook and the ball broke kindly for Bobby De Cordova-Reid to smash dwelling from shut vary.
Solely a positive save from David Raya to disclaim Cairney and the crossbar from Andreas Pereira’s free-kick prevented Arsenal from struggling additional punishment within the pouring rain in west London.
However sufficient harm might have been achieved to their title aspirations over the previous week.
Arsenal stay in fourth, two factors behind leaders Liverpool and degree on 40 factors with Manchester Metropolis, however having performed a recreation greater than each their title rivals.
Son’s parting present
Arteta’s males might even be exterior the highest 4 by the point they’re subsequent in league motion in three weeks’ time as Tottenham closed to inside a degree of the Champions League locations.
Ange Postecoglou’s males shrugged off a mounting damage disaster to inflict Bournemouth’s first defeat in eight video games.
Pape Sarr’s exact end into the underside nook opened the scoring after simply 9 minutes.
However the Senegalese midfielder left the sector in tears halfway by way of the primary half with an damage that places his participation within the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations doubtful.
Bournemouth will really feel they need to have been degree earlier than the break because the in-form Dominic Solanke hit the bar amid a flurry of probabilities.
As an alternative, the guests have been picked off within the second half.
Son Heung-min can also be set to depart for a couple of weeks to guide South Korea on the Asia Cup.
The Spurs captain signed off in model with a thumping end from a slender angle earlier than Richarlison made it 3-0.
Alex Scott pulled a aim again six minutes from time, but it surely was too little, too late for the Cherries, who stay in twelfth.
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