Arsenal disappoint as Fulham snatch a point

Arsenal's recent form suggested that this game would be easy pickings for the Gunners, but a spirited Fulham performance ensured that the points would be shared today. Thomas Vermaelen had the unfortunate privilege of scoring both goals in this game in a 1-1 draw, the first an own goal but he made amends with an equaliser late on.

Arsenal started well, as Andrei Arshavin - returning to the side today as Gervinho had been rested - had the ball in the net only to be disallowed for offside.


Aaron Ramsey missed a great chance in the 24th minute, only to smash the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.


Arsenal completely controlled the first half, and the Gunners really had very little to do apart from one Moussa Dembele strike that needed some attention in the 36th minute.


In the 65th minute, the worst possible scenario for the Gunners. Thomas Vermaelen hooked the ball into his own net after a cross from Danny Murphy bounced off Norway international John Arne Riise. The Emirates silenced as Fulham celebrated a shock lead with just 25 minutes left on the clock.


Vermaelen needed to rescue himself though, and he did just that with an equaliser from a Theo Walcott cross in the 82nd minute.


In truth, this was a poor performance from Arsenal on the back of a successful midweek victory in the Champions League.


Arsene Wenger said after the game: "It feels a little bit like a defeat because we've dropped two points and conceded a stupid goal. But I can't be too demanding on the team because the players are exceptional."