Fulham 1 Arsenal 0
Has the title gone already, will be the question some of the more pessimistic Arsenal fans will be asking?
Probably not (unless you are one of those who thought it was over before the season began, including a few pundits, with Chelsea and Man U set to strengthen). But no-one can afford to give rivals a three point head start – particularly when trying to claw back a four point advantage from last season.
The midfield pairing Denilson and Eboue was a disaster waiting to happen – the signs were there last week – and this time round they were woefully lacking in experience against Murphy and Bullard, who dominated three quarters of the game.
Fulham started the brighter and got in Arsenal’s faces, stopping the supply and breaking up play through niggling fouls. Denilson and Eboue didn’t get their tackles in, meaning Fulham posed a threat with Zamora running beyond Toure and Gallas.
If Wenger was thinking of buying a midfield player on the eve of the transfer window to cut costs [and given the circumstance he may have no other option] – that has had consequences. Fulham have spent more than Arsenal in the transfer window – over twenty million in each of the last two seasons. And it showed. Fulham’s six new players on show make them a much stronger proposition this season.
It was hard to find an Arsenal player who excelled. Denilson had a Midas in reverse game – doing nearly everything wrong. And usually solid performers Clichy and Sagna had some nasty bouts of giving the ball away unnecessarily and Nasri looked a different player from last week, although all three improved towards the latter stages. Walcott who had the beating of right back Kallio, didn’t get into the game and was taken off.
Adebayor and van Persie had chances, with the Togo forward unlucky to strike a post in the first half. But the Dutchman never tested Schwarzer sending three free kicks straight into the wall and one well wide. He missed Arsenal’s best chance in the second, sending it wide.
OK, most players had come back from international duty on Thursday and Friday – but that’s no excuse. That happens regularly.
The rhythm setter, and assist-meister Fabregas wasn’t there. But the loss of Flamini and Hleb is hitting the team harder than was thought.
To put the performance into perspective, it is only the second time since 1966 that Fulham have beaten Arsenal. And Arsenal only failed to score in a game once last season – at Wigan.
Eboue, with a hint of what was to come, over-hit a cross in the first five.
Zamora, who kept running in behind, found himself free in the area on the left – but the hit it over from a wide angle.
Gallas sent a tame header into the hands of Schwarzer from a corner.
And then the ball broke for Van Persie who passed to Adebayor who shot off target
Ghanain Pantsil raked Eboue’s shin right in front of the referee. The season is only a week old and the stench of unfair refereeing raised its corrupting influence. Atkinson gave the foul the other way.
Murphy, finding space easily, shot over.
Walcott crossed to Nasri who set up van Persie to hit wide.
Toure performed a recovery tackle on Zamora who spun him in the area.
Fulham took an Arsenal type short corner with Bullard sending in a low cross. Hangeund, who ironically been bought after Adebayor roughed up the Fulham defence last season, was first to the ball before Gallas and studded it in on 21 minutes.
Adebayor hit the post from a Sagna cross.
He then sent a crossfield ball to Walcott who shot over.
Clichy ran down the left and crossed to the Togo forward whose snap shot on target rebounded off a Fulham chest.
Murphy was finding space in midfield and he set up Seol who gave it to Zamora who had the beating of Gallas but fired just over.
Sagna sent it to Adebayor who fired wide again.
And Fulham in reply had a neat move involving Seol to Zamora to Davies who shot wide.
In the last fifteen Eboue, who looked Arsenal’s most inventive player, made some dangerous runs into the heart of the Fulham area, and was clipped twice. Van Persie wasted both late free-kicks.
Bendtner was on for Walcott and Song for Toure.
Adebayor managed the first shot on target on 84 minutes – a tame effort into Schwarzer’s hands.
And Song, who looked assured, and if you are looking for any positives – a completely different player to the one who came off at Fulham two years ago – took a pot shot at the end. But as if to sum up a bad day at the office, it went well wide.
Arsene Wenger, admitting Arsenal had lost ground, said that Fulham started stronger, and were sharp and motivated. He said Arsenal didn’t create enough chances to win, but that it was hard to lose, referring to the number of shots Fulham had.
“In the first half they dominated and we were not strong or quick enough. We didn’t start well and it is difficult to get back. We didn’t defend the corner well.”
He said if you play at the top you need to start with more personality and authority.
On rumours over Gareth Barry, Wenger said that you have to look at the players who are here – not the players who aren’t.
Fulham manager Roy Hodsgon said: “It’s great to beat one of best teams in the league.
“We got the result by playing. It was panic stations in the last 15 minutes. It was a high tempo game, and we were hanging on.
“For 70 minutes it was a fairly even game. Our Passing matched the Arsenal’s. We doubled up well in the first half.”
Fulham:Mark Schwarzer, Aaron Hughes, John Pantsil,Brede Hangeland, Toni Kallio (74) [Chris Baird] Simon Davies, Jimmy Bullard, Danny Murphy(81) [Andranik Teymourian], Zoltan Gera,Bobby Zamora, Seol Ki-Hyeon (77) [Clint Dempsey].Substitutes not used: David Stockdale, Erik Nevland, Fredrik Stoor, Robert Milsom
Arsenal: Manuel Almunia,Bacary Sagna, William Gallas,Kolo Toure (77) [Alex Song] Gael Clichy, Theo Walcott(65)[Niklas Bendtner 65] Denilson, Emmanuel Eboue, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin Van Persie.Substitutes not used: Lukasz Fabianski, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Johan Djourou
Referee:Martin Atkinson