LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates Stadium on April 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga - Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates Stadium on April 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga - Pool/Getty Images)

Arsenal Player Ratings

Arsenal player ratings vs Fulham as Nketiah snatches point

by Mac Johnson
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Arsenal, Granit Xhaka

Arsenal player ratings vs Fulham as Eddie Nketiah snatches point in 1-1 Premier League draw after Josh Maja scores opener. (Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga – Pool/Getty Images)

Coming into this match, Arsenal had never lost to Fulham at home in the Premier League. With a record of 23 wins and 5 draws, we had a reputation to uphold. Furthermore, Fulham were the only London club who hadn’t won a London Derby of any sort this season. So, of course, in what has become the rhetoric of this season, that all changed.

The first half did nothing to change that history, with Arsenal starting rather brightly, and looking to score from the off, with a near miss from Gabriel Martinelli. Dani Ceballos arguably deserved a brace, with Martinelli taking one off his toes, and another denied by a marginal offside, but the Spaniard still hasn’t earned his first Premier League goal.

It settled into a generally open game, with both teams struggling to find a cutting edge in the final third, and the refereeing contributed to that. Very few calls were made, as Craig Pawson looked to let the small chippy stuff go, in favor of a smoother game.

The Cottagers clawed their way back into the game, with Andre-Frank Zambo-Anguissa taking charge of the midfield, and causing a rather disorganized Arsenal midfield some problems. I still don’t think Elneny and Ceballos work in a pivot together. Arsenal as a team were a bit pedantic and a bit disorganized in the second phase of play, and it cost us momentum and cohesion.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Arsenal player ratings vs Fulham as Eddie Nketiah snatches point in 1-1 Premier League draw

Smith Rowe and Saka both struggled to impose their signature on the first half, with a promising few opening minutes turning into a performance where everything was just a step too slow. We looked disorganized, to be honest, and though we deserved a goal, earning one was a different matter altogether.

And it was the second half that ended up being our downfall. Instead of starting the half brightly, it looked as if nothing had changed whatsoever. Arsenal didn’t take their chances, let Fulham into the game, and of course it was a silly individual mistake that put us behind, due to an emphatic Josh Maja penalty.

It was a rare poor performance from Arsenal, given we drew a match we didn’t particularly deserve to win, for once. Honestly, Fulham looked our equal, even though we saw a good majority of the ball. Even with seven minutes of added time, we just weren’t at the races today. Lucky to rescue a draw.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal reacts as Mario Lemina of Fulham goes down inside the penalty area, leading to Fulham being awarded a penalty during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates Stadium on April 18, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga – Pool/Getty Images)

Goalkeeper and Defenders

GK: Maty Ryan – 6.0

Genuinely so chuffed to see him finally start a game. Anticipated what few balls Fulham lumped into the box very well, and looked comfortable in his command of the backline. Nothing he could do about the Josh Maja penalty. Arguably our best striker in the closing minutes too.

RB: Hector Bellerin – 5.5

Played will in the Calum Chambers’ inverted right-back position, stepping into a midfield three with Elneny and Ceballos in possession. Ceded the ball to Fulham a few too many times for my liking, but generally wasn’t too exposed in an unfamiliar role. Got a bit sloppy towards the end of the first half, and the introduction of Pepe was necessary.

CB: Rob Holding – 6.0

Lucky not to score an own goal off of a deflected strike from Josh Maja, who he had lost moments previously. Other than that one stray moment, very good in possession. He looked to nearly get bored of standing around off the ball, and got involved with the attack more, linking up very well with Saka.

CB: Gabriel Magalhaes – 5.0

Good to see him back in the side, but he wasn’t particularly playing like he had a point to prove.  He was quite good with the ball at his feet, but not as aerially dominant as I’d have liked. Made a few of his trademark driving runs forward, but generally pretty quiet from the Brazilian, until a stupid challenge on Mario Lemina gift-wrapped a penalty for Fulham.

LB: Granit Xhaka – 6.5

A quieter performance from the Swiss, given Ceballos’ touch-heavy style, and inclination to drift to the left, but was comfortable and composed when called into action. This inverted LB role, more of a LCB in a back three in possession, is really working for Xhaka. Very similar to Kieran Tierney during Project Restart, he’s very much able to sit deep, spray passes, and dictate play, which he did well today. Made a number of lovely sliding tackles.

Next: Midfielders

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