Arsenal edge Fulham closer to relegation, but worry after Lacazette limps off

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:08 am

Arsenal scored a last-gasp equaliser to rescue a 1-1 Premier League draw against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Eddie Nketiah levelled the scores in the 97th minute after Josh Maja had put Fulham ahead with a second-half penalty.

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The result sees Fulham edge closer to the drop in 18th position, while Arsenal remain in ninth place and with hopes of European qualification receding further after more dropped points.

"That's the reason we are where we are in the league, because when you face the games like today and you produce what you produce, you have to win it," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the game. "That's what the top teams are doing consistently in the league, and when you don't do it then obviously the consequences are that you are where you are.

There was also another injury blow for Arteta's side as Alexandre Lacazette limped off in the second half with a hamstring problem.

"We'll have to see," Arteta said. "We'll have the scan, probably on Tuesday, to see the extent of the injury and the timeline for it. But I don't know. I cannot tell if it's going to be a week, two weeks, five weeks or six weeks. He felt something in his hamstring and we don't know the extent of it."

Eddie Nketiah snatched a late goal to rescue a point for Arsenal against relegation-threatened Fulham.
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The hosts had a great chance to open the scoring inside 33 seconds, but Gabriel Martinelli looped the ball past the post from close range, before VAR intervened twice to deny the Gunners.

After 40 minutes, Dani Ceballos headed in from Hector Bellerin's cross but the review ruled the goal out as Bukayo Saka's toe was in an offside position. Moments later, Emile Smith Rowe was in a more clea-cut  offside position before Joachim Andersen stuck the ball in his own net.

Fulham were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second half after a long VAR check when Gabriel brought down Mario Lemina. Maja converted from the spot for a record-equaling 87th penalty scored in the league this season.

Arsenal substitute Nicolas Pepe almost scored moments after coming on but his header was well-saved from goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. However, in the last minute of the game, substitute Nketiah rescued a point after reacting quickest to Areola's save inside the box.

"I'm delighted to get a goal and salvage a point for the team," Nketiah told Sky Sports. "Credit to Fulham for getting back in the game and getting the goal, but we were good in the last 30 minutes and we deserved at least a point."