Arsenal hosted Fulham at the Emirates this past Saturday in an enthralling 3-3 draw. The game was perhaps this weekend’s most entertaining fixture and was indeed a typical London derby, packed with goals and last minute drama.
Arsenal had taken a lead through Olivier Giroud and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254 helped Fulham equalize before half time.
The second half saw two more goals, and a dubious penalty decision which Arsenal failed to capitalize on. The draw puts Arsenal at 7th spot, in what has been their worst start to the Premier League under Arsene Wenger.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vito-Mannone-c36276 – 6
The Italian goalkeeper could have prevented both goals, but some poor positioning and failure to deal with Fulham’s aerial threat cost his team the three points.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148 – 7
The French right-back had a solid game, other than the failure to mark Berbatov for Fulham’s first goal. This wasn’t his finest performance in an Arsenal jersey, but Sagna still had a good game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Per-Mertesacker-c29680 – 6
The German displayed his lack of pace as he failed to catch up with Fulham’s attack on the break. Mertesacker was given a hard time by Berbatov throughout the game, and was at fault for Fulham’s equalizer in the first half.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 – 7
The Belgian centre-half is a more calm and reliable presence at left-back, though he still struggles in that position. Vermaelen has not been in fine form lately, but otherwise had a decent game. Showed his attacking prowess at times and was involved in
most of Arsenal’s attack in the last dying minutes of the game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 – 8
The Frenchman was once again a calm and composed presence in the Arsenal defence, but was constantly kept on his toes by Berbatov and Ruiz. He made a spectacular last minute tackle on Berbatov to prevent the Bulgarian from scoring.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mikel-Arteta-c25715 – 5
The Spaniard perhaps had his worst game in an Arsenal jersey. He was at fault for Fulham’s penalty where he bundled Ruiz over in the box after losing possession. Arteta also missed a golden chance to help Arsenal get all three points as he saw his last minute
penalty saved by Schwarzer.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505 – 8
The midfield maestro was involved in the second goal, and was a constant threat for the Fulham back four with his clever movement and passing. Kept possession for Arsenal, but was not at his creative best on the night.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Francis-Coquelin-c13952 – 5
The French midfielder filled in for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463, who missed out on the game due to suspension. Coquelin lost the ball quite a few times and mistimed most of his challenges. Not his best performance.
Lukas Podolski – 8
The German scored http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429’s second goal, and worked hard down the left side of the pitch. Looked threatening all night, but failed to cause Hangeland any problems in the middle. He was replaced in the final 15 minutes after he ran out of steam.
Olivier Giroud – 9
The Frenchman perhaps had his finest outing in an Arsenal jersey, and scored through two spectacular headers. Hit the post with a left-footed effort, but had the positional awareness to get back and nod home Walcott’s cross. Giroud demonstrated his strength
and fine movement throughout the game. He did miss a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the lead in the final minutes, but scuffed his header wide.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 – 9
Walcott had a phenomenal game, and was a constant threat on the right-hand side of the pitch. Displayed some exceptional crossing and movement, and was unlucky not to have scored a goal.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 – 7
Came on for Coquelin in the second half, and was a more reassured presence than the Frenchman. Ramsey was lucky not to have been sent off for a series of repeated fouls.
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