Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal: 4 talking points as Nketiah salvages draw vs Fulham

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (C) celebrates scoring a late equalising goal for 1-1 during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 18, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (C) celebrates scoring a late equalising goal for 1-1 during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 18, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Arsenal, Gabriel
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Gabriel of Arsenal battles for possession with Bobby De Cordova-Reid of Fulham during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham. (Photo by Ian Walton – Pool/Getty Images) /

Gabriel Struggles Without David Luiz

Watching his Premier League debut against the same opposition on the opening day and then seeing Sunday’s performance, one would be mistaken for thinking the latest installment was Gabriel’s first match for the club.

It was not a good afternoon for the Brazilian.

Gabriel is not the same player when he doesn’t have his preferred partner, David Luiz, by his side. There have been displays this season where he’s been excellent with Rob Holding, such as against Manchester United at Old Trafford, but this was not one of them.

Positionally unsure out of possession, he doesn’t boast the same connection with the Englishman as he does with his countryman. That uncertainty then creeps into all aspects of his game, including the rashness of his challenges. The penalty call was painfully soft even if it is a spot-kick in the eyes of the law, but demonstrated a lack of calmness on his part.

Quality wise Gabriel is still arguably the best central defender on the books. He boasts all the attributes needed from a modern centre-back, it’s just apparent that he needs more time.

Important messages vs Slavia Prague. dark. Next

It’s been a bizarre season, one with real highs and obvious lows, he just has to have the right partner alongside him. Will that be William Saliba?

Home/Arsenal News