A dramatic and tumultuous encounter between Arsenal and Fulham unfolded on a stormy afternoon, culminating in a draw that felt like a trio of matches woven into one. The tactical narratives of this Arsenal team seemed to shift and diverge, creating a multifaceted spectacle for the spectators.
Fulham exhibited a tidy, dynamic midfield formation that proved effective in central areas. They seized an early lead through the first offensive foray, later pulling off a last-minute equalizer despite playing with 10 men following Calvin Bassey's late dismissal due to a second yellow card.
Amidst these contrasting phases, Mikel Arteta's efforts to reshape his squad's dynamics in the early stages of the league season were at times exposed by Fulham's prowess. Whether Thomas Partey could seamlessly embrace a fluid right-back-midfield role remained questionable. His presence on the field for 55 minutes appeared more akin to investing time in an untested hypothesis.
For Arteta, the match bore the imprint of disorder, inviting accusations of tactical stubbornness, emulation of Pep Guardiola, and a lapse in recognizing that early-season reassurance of last year's progress and the acquisition of precious Premier League points should remain the priority over intricate tactical maneuvers.
Defending his approach, Arteta attributed the outcome to a misstep leading to Fulham's initial goal. "We were 10 times better than last season [against Fulham], at least 10 times better. Last season, we won 2-1 in the last minute, this time we drew 2-2. This is football," he asserted.
The stadium buzzed with energy and optimism under the chilly August sky before kickoff. However, that enthusiasm was silenced within 57 seconds as Fulham capitalized on a comical yet impeccably executed goal. Bukayo Saka's intended defensive pass turned into a precise through ball for the unmarked Andreas Pereira. The finish showcased Pereira's vision, as he curled the ball past Aaron Ramsdale into the near post.
Arsenal responded with urgency, deploying high crosses towards Leandro Trossard and urgent crossfield passes. Amidst these efforts, a sense of self-imposed challenge pervaded, and Kai Havertz appeared disoriented both by his position on the left of midfield and the magnitude of participating in a Premier League match.
Partey's role was further questioned as he started at right-back, morphing into a central midfield role alongside Declan Rice during Fulham's ball possession. Yet, even in this role, he seemed wary of Pereira's forays into the left flank, exhibiting hesitance that hinted at consulting a manual on the position's intricacies.
Partey's predicament isn't uncommon; mastering such a multifaceted role is no small feat. Gradually, Arsenal gained control, but their dominance failed to translate into clinical finishes. Although they enjoyed 72% possession and eight goal attempts in the first half, a lack of cohesion was evident.
The second half witnessed changes, with Eddie Nketiah replacing Trossard and Saka unleashing a fiery attack on the right. Partey made way for Oleksandr Zinchenko, subsequently adjusting the team's balance. Fábio Vieira, who came in for Havertz, orchestrated the equalizer, inducing a foul from Kenny Tete in the box.
Saka's penalty conversion, though surprising given Martin Ødegaard's precision, mirrored destiny and redemption. The equalizer paved the way for Arsenal's pursuit of victory, necessitating two goals to surpass Fulham. Vieira's precision cross paved the path for Nketiah, who stood as a potent threat.
While Arsenal's momentum was evident, Fulham's tenacity shone through. João Palhinha's magnificent finish from Harrison Reed's corner defied Ramsdale's reach, leveling the score.
In the closing moments, Adama Traoré's explosive run didn't match his finishing, reinforcing a recurring narrative. A draw felt fitting and instructive on a day where Arsenal grappled with the intricacies of their evolving system
