Arsenal rescue a point against Fulham

ARSENAL left it late to force a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Fulham in a Premier League clash yesterday.

Goalkeeper Mat Ryan got a rare start for the Gunners, who also issued Gabriel Martinelli consecutive league starts as Fulham had Kenny Tete out through a positive Covid-19 test.

The Gunners were off to a positive start after just two minutes when Martinelli ran onto a ball over the top, but he dragged beyond the on-rushing Alphonse Areola.

Another scare from the host came minutes later with a first-time shot from five yards out by Martinelli following a cutback from the right-side worked Areola to a save.

Fulham began to pose questions to the Gunners following the half-hour mark, as a low teasing effort from the edge of the area by Mario Lemina slowly trickled past the bottom-corner.

However, it was Arsenal that made the breakthrough five minutes from halftime through the head of Dani Ceballos, but it was brought back by the video assistant referee (VAR) following an offside.

Arsenal maintained pressure straight following the break with a pacey move down the other end resulted in a snap effort from Alexandre Lacazette which sailed narrowly wide.

Further scares from the Gunners 55 minutes in saw a cross-cum shot from the inside-right of the area by Bukayo Saka hit the outside of the post.

The Cottagers were given a lifeline two minutes later when a foul on Lemina by Gabriel Magalhaes led to a penalty, which Josh Maja converted to give the visitors the lead.

A double substitution midway in the second half from Arsenal had Thomas Partey in for Mohamed Elneny and Lacazette replaced by Nicolas Pepe.

These alterations proved effective as relentless pressure on the visitors saw Eddie Nketiah slot home a loose ball from close-range deep in stoppage time to deny Fulham the win.

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