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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal player ratings vs Fulham: William Saliba colossal again but Jakub Kiwior exposed

Arsenal missed out on the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points as they were held to a draw at Fulham.

The Gunners were behind after just 11 minutes thanks to a brilliant finish from Fulham striker Raul Jimenez on the counter.

Arsenal dominated much of the possession but they struggled to open up their hosts, who were defensively solid.

William Saliba grabbed Arsenal an equaliser just after half-time and Mikel Arteta’s side thought they had won it late on, but Bukayo Saka’s goal was ruled out for offside.

Simon Collings was at Craven Cottage to see Arsenal in action...

David Raya 6

Had very little to do all game as Arsenal dominated possession. Made a good save from Andreas Pereira in the second-half when he got in behind.

Thomas Partey 5

Shifted to right-back in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko. Missed a glorious chance with 20 minutes to go when he headed wide from a corner.

William Saliba 8 | Star player

Got Arsenal back on level terms by tapping home from a corner. A second goal in as many games for the Frenchman. The Gunners’ best player, again. Did not put a foot wrong.

Jakub Kiwior 5

Earned another start at centre-back with Gabriel still out injured. Caught out for the first goal by Jimenez’s movement.

Jurrien Timber 6

Moved to left-back with Zinchenko out due to injury. Caught a bit too narrow for Jimenez’s goal, but other than that he was solid.

Martin Odegaard 6

The man charged with breaking Fulham down. Saw plenty of the ball but found it difficult to open Fulham up, who were well organised.

Jorginho 6

Brought back into the team to play at the base of midfield. Pretty assured performance overall. Neat and tidy on the ball.

Declan Rice 6

Went close in the first-half with a shot that he dragged just wide. Helped create Arsenal’s equaliser with his inswinging corner.

Bukayo Saka 6

Created Arsenal’s best moments of a quiet first-half. Had a tough battle with Antonee Robinson and thought he had got the better of him late on, but his goal was offside.

Kai Havertz 6

It was his header from Rice’s corner that Saliba prodded home to put Arsenal on level terms. Didn't have much of a sniff other than that.

Leandro Trossard 5

Created one of Arsenal’s best chances in the first-half with a good cross that found Saka at the back. Quiet other than that, with Arsenal attacking down the right. Hooked after an hour.

Substitutions

Gabriel Martinelli (Trossard 60’) 5

Thought he had set up Saka for the winner late on, but was offside in the build-up.

Gabriel Jesus (Havertz 73’) N/A

Mikel Merino (Jorginho 73’) N/A

Ethan Nwaneri (Odegaard 79’) N/A

Subs not used: Neto, Heaven, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Sterling

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