Arsenal suffer second successive defeat in Premier League: Key stats
What's the story
Premier League 2023-24 title contenders Arsenal suffered another massive blow in the ongoing season.
After going down to West Ham United a couple of days earlier, Mikel Arteta's men were beaten 2-1 by Fulham on the year's last day.
Matchday 20 saw Arsenal take an early lead through Bukayo Saka.
Raul Jimenez equalized in the first half. Bobby de Cordova-Reid scored the eventual winner.
Numbers
Arsenal are winless in three successive Premier League games
Arsenal suffered their fourth defeat in the ongoing Premier League season (W12 D4). Arsenal remain fourth with 40 points and have an inferior goal difference to that of Manchester City (also 40 points, 19 games).
Arsenal are winless in three successive Premier League matches (1-1 versus Liverpool). The Gunners have also suffered three defeats in their last five league games (W1).
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Fulham earned a massive three points
After suffering three successive league defeats, Fulham claimed a crucial win to end the year on a high. Fulham are now 13th with 24 points collected from 20 games (W7 D3 L10).
Arsenal
Contrasting records for the two teams
As per Opta, this is the first time Arsenal lost a Premier League match in which they scored the game's opening goal since New Year's Day in 2022.
Fulham ended their series of a 26-game winless run after having gone down (D4 L22). Fulham's last win since conceding first was against Leeds United in October 2022.
Fulham
More records scripted post this result
Fulham have avoided defeat against Arsenal in both league games this season (also 2-2 in August).
Fulham have now won their final league game in six of the last nine calendar years (D2 L1).
The Cottagers have won just two of their last eight league games against fellow London-based clubs (L5 D1).
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A look at the match stats
In terms of the match stats, Fulham managed 15 shots out of which four were on target. On the other hand, Arsenal had three on target from 13. Arsenal clocked 61% ball possession and an 88% pass accuracy.
FULARS
How did the match pan out?
Arsenal scored a fifth-minute opener following a quick break. Gabriel Martinelli's curling shot from the left was palmed out by Bernd Leno, allowing Saka to stick out a right leg and loop the ball.
Fulham equalized in the 29th minute Willian fed Tom Cairney down the left and his dangerous low cross was swept in by Jimenez.
Decordova-Reid smashed home the winning goal.
Do you know?
Do you know?
Making his 154th Premier League appearance, Saka scored his 37th goal. He also has 32 assists. In the ongoing season, Saka has 12 goals involvements (G6 A6).