Arsenal’s Corner-Kick Conundrum: 1-1 Draw at Fulham Highlights Set-Piece Strengths and VAR Frustrations

Arsenal’s pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool suffered a setback on Sunday, as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Fulham despite dominating possession and showcasing their lethal corner-kick threat. The match at Craven Cottage was a tale of two halves, and a testament to both Arsenal’s attacking prowess and their susceptibility to individual errors and the increasingly influential role of VAR.

The Gunners, known for their prolific set-piece conversions, found themselves behind early. Raul Jimenez, capitalizing on a lapse in marking from Jakub Kiwior, pounced on a loose ball, expertly beating David Raya in the 11th minute to give Fulham the lead. This early goal set the stage for a tense and ultimately frustrating afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s side.

However, Arsenal’s response displayed their characteristic resilience. Just after halftime, a corner, taken with precision by Declan Rice, found its way to Kai Havertz. His header was then deflected by William Saliba, nestling into the back of the net for Arsenal’s equalizer. This marked their 23rd goal from a corner since the start of last season, highlighting their mastery of this particular attacking weapon. The goal was subject to a VAR review for a potential offside, but ultimately stood, giving Arsenal renewed hope.

Arsenal continued to press, creating numerous chances throughout the match, primarily from corners. Saliba himself had an earlier opportunity from a corner, heading wide. Thomas Partey also squandered a chance from another Rice corner, underlining that while their corner strategy is effective, clinical finishing remains crucial. Their dominance was undeniable, but converting those chances proved elusive.

In a heart-stopping moment near the end of the match, Bukayo Saka believed he had snatched a late winner, heading home a cross from Gabriel Martinelli. However, the joy was short-lived. A lengthy VAR review ultimately ruled out the goal due to an earlier offside infringement by Martinelli in the build-up, leaving Arsenal players and fans visibly deflated.

The draw, coupled with the postponement of the Liverpool-Everton Merseyside derby due to Storm Darragh, means Arsenal remain four points behind the league leaders. While they have narrowed the gap, the feeling at the final whistle will undoubtedly be one of missed opportunity. The Gunners’ dominance, while impressive, wasn’t enough to secure all three points, a stark reminder of the fine margins in top-flight football. The performance highlighted both Arsenal’s impressive attacking potential from set-pieces, particularly corners, and their need to improve on capitalizing on opportunities created through open play.

Player Ratings:

Fulham:

Leno (7); Tete (6), Diop (7), Bassey (7), Robinson (8); Berge (6), Lukic (6); Adama (5), Smith Rowe (5), Iwobi (6); Jimenez (7) Subs used: Pereira (6), Wilson (6), Muniz (n/a), Cuenca (n/a)

Arsenal:

Raya (6); Partey (5), Saliba (7), Kiwior (6), Timber (6); Jorginho (6), Rice (8), Odegaard (6); Saka (6), Havertz (6), Trossard (5) Subs used: Martinelli (6), Merino (6), Jesus (5), Nwaneri (6)

Player of the match:

Declan Rice (Arsenal)