PL: Saliba Secures Draw in London Derby as Arsenal and Fulham End 1-1

London, Dec 8 (NationPress) Arsenal was compelled to accept a draw in a hard-fought London derby against Fulham, with William Saliba’s equaliser in the second half rescuing a point after Raul Jimenez's first-half goal had given the home side the lead at Craven Cottage.

The match unfolded under challenging conditions, as heavy rain and gusty winds influenced the gameplay throughout. Arsenal initially dominated possession, pushing Fulham back into their defensive area and generating multiple corners. However, it was Fulham who took the lead with their very first attack of the match. A swift counterattack saw Kenny Tete find Jimenez, who sped past Jakub Kiwior and deftly placed the ball into the bottom corner, leaving David Raya no chance.

Despite the early setback, Arsenal responded effectively, maintaining possession but finding it difficult to break through Fulham’s solid defense. Bernd Leno, one of three former Arsenal players in the Fulham squad, was quick to deny Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner, while Declan Rice’s powerful effort from outside the area went wide.

The home side remained compact, willingly absorbing pressure and frustrating Arsenal's attempts to build momentum, while still posing a threat on the counter. As the rain continued into the second half, the urgency for the Gunners increased. A free-kick from Rice nearly resulted in an equaliser when Thomas Partey just missed connecting in front of goal, but Arsenal quickly followed up with a corner that would prove crucial.

Rice’s deep delivery was met by Kai Havertz’s header at the far post, and Saliba reacted swiftly, capitalizing on the loose ball to nudge it home. VAR reviewed for offside, but the French defender was confirmed to be onside, bringing Arsenal back into contention.

Opportunities continued to arise at both ends as the match opened up. Arsenal sought a winner, but Saka’s late header, from a cross by Martinelli, was ruled offside after a VAR check, denying the Gunners all three points.

The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool, who occupy second place in the Premier League, ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. Upcoming for the Gunners is a vital Champions League encounter against AS Monaco, followed by a league match against Everton.