Arsenal 2-1 Fulham: Gabriel redeems himself with winner

Arsenal are two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table

Gabriel righted a terrible mistake to score the winner against Fulham and sustain leaders Arsenal’s successful start to the Premier League season.

The defender lost possession on the edge of his own box to allow Aleksandar Mitrovic to put Fulham ahead.

But after Martin Odegaard equalized with a deflected shot, Gabriel redeemed himself in the 85th minute with a playful close-range shot.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale then made a crucial save to deny Nathaniel Chalobah minutes from time.

The win ensures Arsenal remain top of the table with their fourth win in as many games – although for large parts Fulham are frustrated.

Mikel Arteta’s men controlled possession and created numerous chances – Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all came close before Mitrovic stunned the Gunners with the opener.

Substitute Eddie Nketiah added much-needed energy to Arsenal when he came on just after Arteta’s side fell behind, and after Odegaard’s impressive equalizer, Gabriel smashed the ball after a scramble from a desperate corner.

The result ends Fulham’s unbeaten start in the top flight, while Arsenal bolster their credentials as a growing force under Arteta.

Gabriel plays villain and hero

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his fourth goal this season

The price for Gabriel’s error could have been high as Arsenal appear poised to fall behind Manchester City on goal difference had they lost two points to the Cottagers.

It took them some luck to get over the line, as well as a deft stop from Ramsdale in stoppage time to keep Chalobah’s shot off target.

Odegaard was rewarded for his dedication and creativity when his curling effort suffered a nasty deflection nine minutes after Gabriel’s error – and that gave Arsenal the impetus to move forward to take the three points.

However, as the Arsenal players’ chances continued to decline, there was a growing sense that they were about to drop points for the first time this season.

Gabriel, who pulled his jersey over his head seconds after Mitrovic’s opening goal, was the most determined as the ball fell in front of goal, forcing the ball home.

It was the perfect way to celebrate Arteta’s 100th Premier League game in charge and Arsenal will look to end August with five wins when they host Aston Villa on the final day of the month.

It was a disappointing result for Fulham but another encouraging performance after their opening weekend’s draw with Liverpool.

lineups

arsenal

formation 4-2-3-1

1Ramsdale

4White12Above6Gabriel3Tierney

25Eleny34Xhaka

7Of8thØdegaard11Martinelli

9Gabriel Jesus

• 1Ramsdale
• 4White36 minutes booked
• 12Above
• 6Gabriel
• 3TierneyReplaced byNketiahat 61′protocol
• 25Eleny
• 34Xhaka
• 7Of
• 8thØdegaardReplaced byKeepat 90+5′protocol
• 11Martinelli
• 9Gabriel JesusBooked at 44 minutesReplaced byTomiyasuat 89′protocol

substitute

• 10Smith Rowe
• 14Nketiah
• 16Keep
• 17Cedric Soares
• 18Tomiyasu
• 21Ferreira Vieira
• 23Sambi care
• 27Oliveira Alencar
• 30gymnast

Fulham

formation 4-2-3-1

17leno

2Tete4As a matter of fact13ream33Robinson

6reed26Wolf Alves Palhinha Goncalves

14The Cordova Reid18Pereira7kebano

9Mitrovica

• 17leno
• 2TeteReplaced bymotherat 79′protocol
• 4As a matter of fact
• 13reamReplaced byStansfeldat 88′protocol
• 33RobinsonBooked at 51 minutes
• 6reed
• 26Wolf Alves Palhinha GoncalvesBooked at 44 minutesReplaced byChalobaat 88′protocol
• 14The Cordova Reid70 minutes booked
• 18PereiraReplaced bydiopat 79′protocol
• 7kebanoReplaced bycairneyat 69′protocol
• 9Mitrovica

substitute

• 1Indigenous
• 5duffy
• 10cairney
• 12Chaloba
• 27mother
• 31diop
• 35François
• 38harris
• 65Stansfeld

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Number of visitors: 60,164

live text

1. Game ends, Arsenal 2, Fulham 1.

2. Second half ends, Arsenal 2, Fulham 1.

3. Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

4. Foul by Nathaniel Chalobah (Fulham).

5. Substitution Arsenal. Rob Holding replaces Martin Ødegaard.

6. attempt saved. Nathaniel Chalobah (Fulham) right footed shot from the center of the box is saved in the center of the goal. Assisted by Harrison Reed with a cross.

7. Foul by Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal).

8. Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) wins a free kick on the right wing.

9. Substitution Arsenal. Takehiro Tomiyasu replaces Gabriel Jesus.

10. Substitution Fulham. Jay Stansfield replaces Tim Ream.

11. Substitution Fulham. Nathaniel Chalobah replaces Joao Palhinha.

12. VAR decision: Arsenal goal 2-1 Arsenal Fulham (Gabriel Magalhães).

13. Goal! Arsenal 2, Fulham 1 Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by William Saliba from a corner. Goal confirmed after VAR Review.

14. Arsenal corner. Goal by Bernd Leno.

15. attempt saved. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner.

16. Arsenal corner. Goal conceded by Aleksandar Mitrovic.

17. Arsenal corner. Goal conceded by Tosin Adarabioyo.

18. attempt blocked. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bukayo Saka.

19. attempt blocked. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Martin Ødegaard with a through ball.

20. attempt saved. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) right footed shot from the center of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Gabriel Martinelli.

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