Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal 2-1 Fulham: Player ratings as Gabriel snatches late winner

By James Cormack

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal celebrates their sides second goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on August 27, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal celebrates their sides second goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on August 27, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) /
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Gabriel struck late on to ensure Arsenal maintained their 100% start to the Premier League season as they ran out 2-1 winners against Fulham.

Supporters weren’t treated to the high-octane start they’ve grown accustomed to seeing at the start of the season, but Arsenal were undoubtedly superior in the first half and they should’ve gone ahead through Bukayo Saka. The winger was denied by former Gunner Bernd Leno, however.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1563585148175601665

The hosts ramped up the pressure at the start of the second half but a Gabriel error allowed Aleksandar Mitrovic to pounce and he gave Fulham the lead against the run of play.

Arsenal weren’t behind for long, though, as a deflected Martin Odegaard effort breached Leno’s stern defence.

The Gunners pushed relentlessly thereafter and their efforts were rewarded when Gabriel scrambled home a Gabriel Martinelli set-piece with five minutes remaining. Despite a couple of nervy moments very late on, Arsenal held on to return to the top of the Premier League.

Here are the Gunners player ratings from Saturday’s win.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

William Saliba celebrates Gabriel’s winner. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
William Saliba celebrates Gabriel’s winner. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) /

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6.5/10 – Made two big saves in the second half after rarely being tested. The first from a Mitrovic header was excellent, and he held his nerve to deny Nathaniel Chalobah in the closing stages.

Ben White (RB) – 7.5/10 – Impressive. Ventured forward pretty effectively in the second half, mixing up his runs, and didn’t put a foot wrong defensively. He’s making this right-back spot his own.

William Saliba (CB) – 6/10 – Wasn’t hugely involved in this one, but he executed his actions with the utmost serenity.

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Redemption. After gifting Fulham the lead at the start of the second half, Gabriel scrambled home Arsenal’s winner in the dying embers of the contest.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 5/10 – Came in for the injured Oleksandr Zinchenko but struggled to assert himself on the contest. Rarely ventured forward and was tasked with drifting inside when Arsenal had the ball which just doesn’t suit him.

Continued on the next slide…