Mikel Arteta might need to switch things up. (Photo by Chloe Knott-Danehouse/Getty Images)
Positive #2: Eddie Nketiah
In my opinion, Nketiah should have started this game – his goal against Nottingham Forest and energetic, albeit profligate, display against Crystal Palace meant it was the least he deserved. Even if you disagree with that statement, his displays certainly have not been poor enough to warrant being dropped from the starting XI.
The 24-year-old may not be of the same calibre as Erling Haaland, but very few strikers in world football are, and therefore it is unfair to judge Nketiah by the Norwegian’s standards. However, what the Englishman has done, time and time again, is prove that he can be relied upon to score goals when it most matters – as he did once again against Fulham in this match.
In my opinion, Nketiah has to start against Manchester United at the weekend.
Negative #2: A change of system needed
Another negative in my opinion is the new system that Arteta has so far adopted this season. Theoretically, it’s a very elegant solution which on paper allows the side to gain more control over games.
However, in reality, that does not seem to be the case. Thomas Partey at right back is causing an imbalance on the pitch, with a lack of overlapping runs for Saka becoming an issue. Building up from the back seems to also be an issue, with our centre-backs struggling to find effective passing lanes into the midfield.
Reverting back to a system more similar to the one we adopted last season, whereby, Thomas Partey returns to the midfield, perhaps at the detriment of Havertz, and Benjamin White returns to right-back, seems the best option for the team at this current moment in time.
Continued on the next slide…
pic.twitter.com/7V8vXyDpTU
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1695753029973066076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 27, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>Positive #1: Fabio Vieira</h2>
<p>I am by no means Fabio Vieira’s biggest fan, however, his substitute appearance in this match was <a title="Arsenal 2-2 Fulham: Player ratings as Gunners drop points" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/26/arsenal-fulham-player-ratings-2/" rel="">very impressive</a>.</p>
<p>Even before his assist for Nketiah, the Portuguese’s energy and desire to make things happen resulted in the 23-year-old winning the penalty that ultimately gave the Gunners a lifeline in the game.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"https://www.arsenal.com/news/every-word-mikel-artetas-post-fulham-presser">Speaking after the game, Arteta was keen to praise Vieira for his impact, saying:</p>
<blockquote><p>“With Fabio I’m delighted for him as well because he hasn’t played any minutes so far this season and to see a player that comes with that determination and that positiveness to this team and has the impact that he had, it’s difficult to see and really pleasing. I’m really happy for him as well.”</p></blockquote>
<p>An impressive cameo from the bench is of course no guarantee of a good performance from the start, however, with Kai Havertz struggling for form in his new role, Vieira is certainly knocking on the door to replace the German in the starting lineup.</p>
<h2>Negative #1: Kai Havertz</h2>
<p>Speaking of Havertz, the German is the first negative from the match that I am going to discuss. Given that we signed the 24-year-old from Chelsea, I desperately wanted him to be a success, to prove the doubters, of which I was and still am, wrong and to flourish under Arteta’s guidance.</p>
<p>However, after watching his performances during pre-season, as well as his displays in the Premier League so far, it is incredibly difficult to see that happening at this stage. Perhaps most disappointing is the fact that all three matches have seemed to pass the German by, with Havertz seemingly having little to no effect on the outcome of the match in any way.</p>
<p>It is still early on his Arsenal career so I don’t want to be too harsh, but Havertz’s form must improve – that much is undeniable.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 positive and negative </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_136079" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-136079" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1032,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1640281399.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1032" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1640281399.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1640281399-768x495.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1640281399-1536x991.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Mikel Arteta might need to switch things up. (Photo by Chloe Knott-Danehouse/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h2>Positive #2: Eddie Nketiah</h2>
<p>In my opinion, Nketiah should have started this game – his goal against Nottingham Forest and energetic, albeit profligate, display against Crystal Palace meant it was the least he deserved. Even if you disagree with that statement, his displays certainly have not been poor enough to warrant being dropped from the starting XI.</p>
<p>The 24-year-old may not be of the same calibre as Erling Haaland, but very few strikers in world football are, and therefore it is unfair to judge Nketiah by the Norwegian’s standards. However, what the Englishman has done, time and time again, is prove that he can be relied upon to score goals when it most matters – as he did once again against Fulham in this match.</p>
<p>In my opinion, Nketiah has to start against Manchester United at the weekend.</p>
<h2>Negative #2: A change of system needed</h2>
<p>Another negative in my opinion is the new system that Arteta has so far adopted this season. Theoretically, it’s a very elegant solution which on paper allows the side to gain more control over games.</p>
<p>However, in reality, that does not seem to be the case. Thomas Partey at right back is causing an imbalance on the pitch, with a lack of overlapping runs for Saka becoming an issue. Building up from the back seems to also be an issue, with our centre-backs struggling to find effective passing lanes into the midfield.</p>
<p>Reverting back to a system more similar to the one we adopted last season, whereby, Thomas Partey returns to the midfield, perhaps at the detriment of Havertz, and Benjamin White returns to right-back, seems the best option for the team at this current moment in time.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 positive and negative </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_136080" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-136080" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1708,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1640388035-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1708" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1640388035-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1640388035-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1640388035-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1640388035-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal rallied in the second half. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h2>Positive #3: The team didn’t panic</h2>
<p>Although they were <a title="Arsenal 2-2 Fulham: 3 talking points as Gunners share spoils" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/arsenal-2-2-fulham-3-talking-points-gunners-share-spoils/" rel="">unable to secure victory</a>, the players were able to avoid panicking after conceding so early on. Perhaps that was because of just how early it was – meaning the side had practically the entire game ahead of them to collectively undo Saka’s mistake, but they remained calm and stuck to the game plan.</p>
<p>It has been a somewhat recurring theme under Arteta in recent years and mental resilience was on display once again against Fulham, albeit without resulting in a win.</p>
<h2>Negative #3: Early advantage for Manchester City</h2>
<p>Saving perhaps the most obvious negative for last, dropping two points at home in this match has afforded Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City an early advantage in the Premier League title race after they secured a narrow 2-1 victory over newcomers Sheffield United.</p>
<p>To many, talk of a result as early as August affecting a title race may seem illogical, however, City have proven in recent times that you cannot afford to start slowly against them, because once they pull clear, they are incredibly difficult, almost impossible, to catch.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="tNGXUrxrQF"><p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/3-positives-negatives-arsenal-draw-against-fulham/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/27/5-reactions-arsenal-draw-fulham/">5 reactions to Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Fulham</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>We may just be three games into the campaign, but results such as these could be costly come the end of the season.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
