Premier League: Arsenal 2-1 vs. Fulham Full Time Report – Samir Nasri magic sinks Fulham
Arsenal were hosting Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in a match that could potentially see Arsenal jump to the top of the Barclays Premier League table once again.
Prior to the match, however, Arsenal were well aware of the fact that Fulham are more than well known for their unique ability to draw countless matches and were looking to try and not meet that same fate.
Arsenal were also going to have to play the game without captain Cesc Fabregas, who was ruled out due to a hamstring injury and was now a doubt for the United clash as well.
Arsenal were, however, using Tomas Rosicky as a direct replacement for the injured player and he was also filling in as the captain of the side.
The match got underway right after the referee’s whistle and from the very first minute Arsenal was looking like the more dominant side. This early dominance eventually paid off for the Gunners as they got the lead on the fourteenth
minute. After a poor touch from Hughes near his own area, Andrei Arshavin got the ball and he slipped it into the path of Samir Nasri. The midfielder then ran across the face of the goal before faking his shot twice and leaving Briggs and Hughes for dead before
smashing the roof of the net with a left-footed strike. The goal was quite simply fantastic and gave Arsenal an early boost.
However, despite all the attacks that Arsenal were launching, they didn't manage to score as many goals as they would have hoped; in fact, they didn't score any other goals in the first half.
On the other hand, Fulham were presented with a very rare chance in front of the Arsenal goal and after a clash between the Arsenal centre-backs, Diomansy Kamara was left alone in front of the goal and he tucked it past Fabianski
to give Fulham the equalizing goal against the run of play.
The first half ended with the score-line reading one all and Fulham the happier of the two teams.
In the second half, Arsenal managed to continue their fine form and created numerous chances in front of the Fulham goal; however, the breakthrough came via second-half substitute Robin Van Persie. The striker cleared space to
take a shot in front of the goal but opted to slip Nasri on again. Then it was time for the Nasri show once again. The player dashed past Mark Schwarzer and then despite being forced wide, he managed to cut back and curl the ball into the goal from the tightest
of angles and Arsenal had the lead once again.
The second goal was all that Arsenal really needed as from then on, they dominated possession and ran the clock out to go on top of the League table once again.
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