Arsenal vs. Fulham match: (2-2)

Arsenal were held to a 2-2 home draw by 10-man Fulham after the visitors grabbed a late goal to deny Mikel Arteta's side provisional top spot in the Premier League on Saturday.

The result leaves the Gunners second with seven points, behind north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference.

Andreas Pereira put Fulham ahead in the first minute but Arsenal eventually bounced back with two goals in two frantic second-half minutes from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.

Things started in the worst possible fashion when after just 57 seconds, we fell behind. A loose pass by Saka was pounced upon by Pereira, and the Brazilian surprised Aaron Ramsdale by shooting first-time from 25 yards and seeing the ball curl into the net via the near post.

It took us some time to recover from that setback, and we mustered just a tame Gabriel Martinelli attempt before we nearly fell two goals behind. 

Still, North London is finding there's no hit quite like the first, no rush that can replicate the moment when the ball dropped to Reiss Nelson just inside the Bournemouth penalty area and with a swing of his left boot he sent 57,000 into convulsions of ecstasy. Now, after a 2-2 draw with Fulham, all Arsenal are getting is that sinking feeling.

A 66th minute spot-kick from Bukayo Saka levelled the match after Fabio Vieira was brought down in the box and then, nine minutes later, Vieira flew forward again. The Portuguese international played a pinpoint cross into the box and striker Eddie Nketiah fired home, leaving the Gunners convinced they had secured all three points.

Despite Calvin Bassey earning a red card, Fulham refused to give up, however, and, in the 87th minute, their efforts were rewarded after midfielder Joao Palhinha struck home off a corner kick to level the match.

A fired-up Arsenal completed their comeback two minutes later when they won the ball back in Fulham's half and Vieira whipped in a cross for fellow substitute Nketiah to fire home.

Fulham were reduced to 10 men when Bassey cynically fouled Nketiah to prevent a counter-attack but Marco Silva's side equalised in the 87th when Palhinha timed his half-volley to precision from a corner to beat Ramsdale and snatch a point.

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Sarah H

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