Arsenal hosted Fulham at the Emirates this past Saturday in an entertaining 3-3 draw, having taken the lead in the first half. The Cottagers however were not willing to settle for a defeat, and came back in emphatic fashion as they got two goals back in
a first half that saw 4 exquisite goals.
Fulham had their chances as the Arsenal defence failed to cope with the attacking prowess of Bryan Ruiz and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254, and finally took the lead through a penalty, which Berbatov scored in his signature calm and composed fashion.
Arsenal then equalized courtesy Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman scored two goals in what has to be his finest performance in an Arsenal jersey. The striker could’ve had a third, but scuffed his header wide in the dying minutes of the game.
The hosts were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mikel-Arteta-c25715 stepped up to convert. The Spaniard however saw his shot saved by Mark Schwarzer, and Fulham managed a well deserved draw.
This game leaves Arsenal at 7th spot, in what has been their worst start to a Premier League campaign under Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal started the game well, and kept the ball and passed it around tidily in the first half. Giroud looked high on confidence, and held the ball well up front. The game also saw http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 back in the starting line-up, and the winger repaid the manager’s
faith through an exceptional performance.
Giroud scored the first goal of the night when he escaped his marker and scored from a Walcott corner. Arsenal began to control the game, and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896 shortly added another goal. The German found himself unmarked and guided the ball home with the outside
of his left foot.
The Gunners look potent and menacing on the break and the front trio of Podolski, Giroud and Walcott combined well.
Fulham however were not willing to stay back, and attacked Arsenal throughout the game. The visitors started getting back into the game, and exploited Arsenal on the counter attack.
Berbatov grabbed the first goal and assisted the second before the interval. Bryan Ruiz exploited the gaps in the Arsenal defence, and Fulham tried to capitalize on Per Mertesacker’s lack of pace in the middle.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santos-c32532, who has been horrific lately.
The second half saw Fulham take the lead when Bryan Ruiz was bundled over by Arteta. Arsenal’s misgivings at the back cost them again as they let in 3 goals. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vito-Mannone-c36276 was perhaps at fault for Fulham’s second, and could’ve easily saved from Kacaniklic.
Giroud helped http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 get back into the game when he saw his initial shot hit the woodwork, but showed his positional awareness and movement when he scored from a Walcott cross that resulted from the rebound.
The pair worked well all night, and Arsenal clearly have found a gem in Giroud. The Frenchman only needs a couple of more games and goals to settle in properly. Podolski worked hard, but ran out of steam towards the end. The return of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Oxlade-Chamberlain
may help the German get some rest, and perhaps http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrei-Arshavin-c5771 can also be started on the left to create competition for first team spots.
Arsenal do miss the physical presence of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463,
they had to do with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Francis-Coquelin-c13952, who had a quiet game by his standards.
With this weekend’s visit of Tottenham looming large, a win would’ve gone a long way in restoring the team’s confidence. Arsenal need a win badly if they want to finish in the top four, and with the form of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Everton-c13019, West Brom and Tottenham, the club has
it all to do.
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