Arsenal failed to make any progress on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw with Fulham this afternoon.
The Gunners thought they had won it only late on but Bukayo Saka's goal was disallowed by VAR for offside in the build-up against Gabriel Martinelli.
Saka puts the ball into the net, but Arsenal's celebrations are halted after a VAR check shows that Martinelli was offside! ❌ pic.twitter.com/fZUSp3UAHu
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Raul Jimenez had put the hosts ahead earlier with a powerful shot past David Raya from a tight angle, but Arsenal scored from a corner kick for the fourth match in a row six minutes after the start of the second half.
Kai Havertz dropped Declan Rice's pass and William Saliba was on hand to nudge the ball over the goal line.
Although yesterday's Merseyside derby was postponed due to Storm Darragh, it was a good weekend for Liverpool with both Arsenal and Manchester City drawing.
Arsenal are six points behind Arne Slott's side, while City are another two points behind.
Odegaard is frustrated
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard told Sky Sports: “We controlled most of the game. The first half wasn't great. We were a bit sloppy and lacked energy and strength. The second half was much better. It's disappointing not to win. We were close in the end to scoring.” the goal.
“They are a good team. They know how to defend. A solid block. We did not do enough today. We have to learn from that and go straight back to the next stage.”
“We have to focus on ourselves. We don't care about other teams (in the title race).
“We did a lot of good things. We have to do more and put the ball in the box more often. Maybe be more direct and aggressive. We could have won it in the end.”
“It's a very long way to go. We've said hundreds of times that we have to keep going one game at a time.”
Vardy inspires Leicester to come back
Brighton missed the opportunity to advance to fifth place after the late collapse against Leicester.
The Seagulls were 2-0 up and appeared to be in control of the game thanks to goals from Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Menté, but Ruud van Nistelrooy's men hit back with two goals in the final five minutes.
First, Jamie Vardy converted James Justin's deflected cross to halve the deficit before the former England striker crossed for Bobby De Cordova Reid to equalise.
It's not over until it's over 💙 pic.twitter.com/pPYdd55doh
– Leicester City (@LCFC) December 8, 2024
A late heartbreak for Ipswich
Bournemouth also made a late escape to secure a 2-1 win over Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys looked set for their first home win of the season – and first since 2002 – after taking the lead in the 87th minute thanks to Conor Chaplin's first-half goal.
But Enes Unal equalized before Danjo Otara scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Andoni Airola, coach of the Cherries team, told the BBC: “We certainly did not deserve to lose. We had great opportunities but we failed to take advantage of them, especially in the first half.” Even in the second half we had momentum from the start. You start to think this is not your day but luckily we took them in the end.
With this victory, Bournemouth rose to eighth place, while Ipswich remained in eighteenth place.
