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Fulham vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Bobby De Cordova-Reid scores winner

Follow all the live action from Craven Cottage

Sonia Twigg
Sunday 31 December 2023 12:10 EST
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(Getty Images)

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Arsenal squandered a chance to start 2024 at the top of the Premier League and instead were resoundingly beaten 2-1 at the hands of Fulham.

Bukayo Saka had given the visitors an early lead after less than five minutes, but Arsenal were unable to push on, and their passing which is usually slick slowed to a crawl. That allowed Fulham back into the game, first equalising inside the first half an hour through the returning Raul Jimenez before Bobby Decordova-Reid scored the winner in the second half.

Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to end a downward slump that will instead see them finish out the calendar year in fourth place, just one point above north London rivals Tottenham.

Arsenal have gone three games without a win, their longest run of the season, while Fulham showed a renewed grit and determination against the Gunners.

Follow all the live action in the blog below and get the latest odds and tips here.

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

81’ Saka drives into the box in an attempt to create something but he is tackled by Palhinha who times it perfectly to prevent the Arsenal player being able to take the shot.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:43

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

80’ Arsenal have a chance, the ball comes in from the right and flies across the face of goal, but no player was close to getting a crucial final touch on the probing cross.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:41

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

79’ For the first time now Arsenal are coming forward with intent, but Castagne puts the probing cross behind for a corner.

Fulham are making changes, Willian comes off for Harry Wilson and Decordova-Reid makes way for a defensive change and Diop.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:41

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

77’ Calvin Bassey has received a yellow card for time-wasting, but since the Fulham goal, Arsenal have not had any clear-cut chances.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:39

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

77’ Havertz has just come off for Reiss Nelson as Arteta tries to inject life into his Arsenal side.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:38

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

75’ Arsenal have not been able to get Jesus or Havertz into the game so far while Nketiah has also largely been anonymous.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:37

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

74’ The rain is really coming down now and the wind has picked up. Fulham is on the banks of the Thames so wind can have an impact at times, although less so since the Riverside Stand was rebuilt.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:36

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

73’ Fulham look to keep attacking as the rain has started hammering it down at Craven Cottage, they have had more shots and more on target than Arsenal throughout the match.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:34

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

71’ Cairney has a shot that Raya has to palm away! Fulham are on the front foot as they make their first change with Iwobi coming off for Pereira, that will bring an injection of energy.

Iwobi applauded off by both Fulham and his former club Arsenal’s supporters.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:33

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

69’ Arsenal’s changes are just trying to find their feet in the new system, and so far are not linking together in a similar way to the players they replaced.

Sonia Twigg31 December 2023 15:31

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