Arsenal 2-2 Fulham: 3 talking points as Gunners share spoils

Adam Schultz

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal looks dejected following the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on August 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal dropped their first points of the Premier League season as, again, sloppy errors allowed Fulham to sneak away with a share of the spoils.

In what has become something that has happened with increasing regularity, Arsenal allowed a team to score inside the opening minute as Andreas Pereira made Bukayo Saka pay for a misplaced pass.

The Gunners then looked to get back into their groove. Still, it took until the second half to do it as Saka slotted home from the spot as Fabio Vieira was fouled in the area, and then just minutes later, Eddie Nketiah again got himself on the scoresheet.

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As it looked like Arsenal was heading for three consecutive wins to start the season, a corner from Fulham somehow found its way to Joao Palhinha, who managed to get his shot past Aaron Ramsdale to give the visitors a share of the spoils at the Emirates.

Arsenal 2-2 Fulham: 3 talking points as Gunners share spoils

The game provided plenty of talking points, here they are.

1. Preseason mistakes float into the regular season

During Arsenal’s preseason schedule, several individual mistakes led to goals, and while it was “only pre-season”, many hoped they wouldn’t happen when the real stuff rolled around.

Well, they have, and I don’t want to be too harsh on Saka as he has done wonderful things for the club, but it was his misplaced pass that set the tone for the afternoon. He made up for it, though, with his penalty.

Additionally, to concede from a corner as Arsenal did is not something fans have received well. It is only small things, but in the Premier League, teams are good enough to take advantage, and Fulham did just that.

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Thomas Partey was ineffective as an inverted right-back. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

2. The Partey experiment needs to end

Okay, Mikel Arteta tried something, but it’s not working. That’s fine, but don’t compound the mistake by insisting on playing Partey at right-back anymore.

While Arsenal gain a lot when he inverts from that position, when his usual high level of passing isn’t up to standard, then he and the side suffer because of it.

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We aren’t sure why Arteta is insisting on playing Partey at right back, but now is the time to concede the mistake and get him back into the midfield.

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It was a quiet outing for Havertz. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

3. Kai Havertz needs to start producing

When a team pays £67.5, for your services, fans expect returns immediately. While that is a little harsh as players need time to adjust to their new environment, in Kai Havertz’s case, things have gotten sour real quick.

Against Fulham, he again looked lost when Arsenal was in possession, and such was his underwhelming performance, when he misplaced a few passes, the Emirates faithful seemed to be rather angered.

It is only early in his Arsenal career, but it already feels like gut-check time for the former Chelsea man.

Adam Schultz

Adam is a freelance sports journalist and has been covering football for over five years. Adam is a football lover, has supported Arsenal since 2003 and he is not afraid to share his opinions on the club.