5 reactions to Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Fulham

Early draw dampens title hopes – yes, already.

Arsenal have been frustrating in the first three matches and will now have to wonder when the season ends that a draw at home against a side whose ceiling is surely mid-table is a reason why they will not be champions again this season.

Here are five reactions from Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham

5 reactions to Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Fulham

1. Partey at RB has To End

The flow of the game with Partey at right-back is off. Everyone feels out of sync. The decisions aren’t as quick and decisive. There’s no need to create or fix something that was working last season.

If there was to be an experiment, why not try it in cup games or other fixtures that perhaps aren’t quite so important? I know Arteta is a Pep disciple, but sometimes you don’t have to fix something that’s not broken. The White-Saka partnership was immense last season, but the pair have barely combined so far. Partey himself has not looked good in one-on-one positions when he is the last line of defence. It is puzzling. It didn’t cost Arsenal in the first two matches, but it did against Fulham.

Once Arsenal had its back-four shape with a substitution of Oleksandr Zinchenko for Partey, the pace picked up. Zinchenko is certainly more comfortable in the inverted left-back role and it showed in the build-up.

2. Maybe it’s time for Raya

Ramsdale had a very good season in the 2022/23 campaign, but if Arteta is preaching competition, Ramsdale should be one to look behind his shoulder.

The first goal shouldn’t have happened. The shot taken by Andreas Pereira was poor but Ramsdale was out of position which meant a poor shot by the Fulham player still landed in the back of the net. Yes, Bukayo Saka made the error but as the ultimate line of defence, Ramsdale should’ve done better.

If Gabriel is on the bench, I think Ramsdale should be worried that the Spanish international David Raya may be getting a start soon.

3. Three times in a calendar year!

Arsenal are the only Premier League side to give up three first-minute goals in a calendar year. The Premier League is tough, but giving up a goal so early in a match will always set you back for disaster.

If Arsenal were just chasing European football, maybe it wouldn’t sting so much but the Gunners are supposed to be title contenders and every point matters when Man City are seemingly coasting.

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4. Havertz has to be dropped

Once Arteta took out Havertz, Arsenal looked fluid. The passes were crisper. The decisions were better. Fabio Viera looked sensational.

Perhaps it’s time to give Havertz some time to really get into this side at training because on the pitch he looks lost. He didn’t make effective runs. He was offside twice and gave away possession multiple times. Arsenal fans didn’t want this signing and their concerns have so far been justified.

5. Giving up a goal a man up is inexcusable

Not sure why Arsenal invited pressure when they were up a goal, even more so when Fulham were down to ten men. It happened in the match against Nottingham Forest and it happened again against Fulham.

The match was there to be taken but Arsenal took their foot of the gas and paid for it. It may cost them the title down the line.