Eddie Nketiah scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser as Arsenal salvaged a 1-1 draw at the Emirates to dent Fulham’s Premier League survival ambitions.
The young English striker netted from close-range in the 97th minute, after Josh Maja had put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half.
Controversy surrounding VAR continued, when Bukayo Saka was deemed to be marginally offside during the build up of what would have been the opener from Dani Ceballos, just before the break.
Fulham defended resolutely throughout and looked to have held on for their first away win against Arsenal, however their hopes of staying in the division next season were tarnished by conceding late on.
Both sides came into the game with contrasting form, as Arsenal were looking to make it three wins in a row after their impressive showing against Slavia Prague last time out, whereas Fulham were hopeful of steadying the ship following their fourth league defeat in a row at Wolves.
From the first whistle, the onus was on Mikel Arteta’s men to take the game to the visitors, and they did just that within 30 seconds when Alexandre Lacazette found Gabriel Martinelli in behind.
The 19-year-old showed his pace to beat Alphonse Areola to the ball but was unable to direct his lobbed effort on target.
Moments later, Martinelli was involved again when Emile Smith Rowe’s cut-back found the Brazilian on the edge of the six-yard box. His first time shot on the spin was well saved by Areola, but perhaps he should have left it for the onrushing Ceballos to take aim.
Scott Parker’s side started to grow into the game after a tentative start and nearly took the lead with their first venture into Arsenal territory. Bobby Reid’s long-range strike deflected off Gabriel and into the path of Maja, whose attempt nearly tricked past Matt Ryan, following another ricochet off Rob Holding.
Then just before half-time, the Gunners thought they had taken the lead when Hector Bellerin’s precise cross found an unmarked Dani Ceballos at the back post, only for the Spaniard’s expertly guided header to be ruled out. Saka was adjudged to be infringing in the build up in what was one of the tightest offside decisions of the season.
Fulham came out in the second-half with renewed confidence and capitalised on Arsenal’s slow start, as a mix up between Holding and Gabriel allowed Mario Lemina to rob possession back in the box, with the 23-year-old bringing him down for a penalty.
Maja stepped up to convert high into the roof of the net, giving Ryan little chance of keeping it out, in order to gift the away side with a lifeline heading into the latter stages of the game.
Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe were introduced shortly after in the hope of getting Arsenal back into the game, with the latter nearly doing just that.
Martinelli latched onto Smith Rowe’s through ball and found the substitute with an excellent cross towards the back post. The Ivorian international rose the highest to guide his header on target, but Areola was equal to it to keep the score at 1-0.
Eventually the hosts pressure told, when Saka’s corner was met by goalkeeper Ryan whose flicked header fell into the path of Ceballos in the box. His snap shot was parried away into Nketiah who had a simple finish into an empty net to square the game up at 1-1.
Neither team will be content with the result as it does little in Arsenal’s pursuit of European football next season and piles the pressure on Fulham in their bid for survival.
