Arsenal’s Set-Piece Dependence: Arteta Reflects on Frustrating Fulham Draw
It was a day of mixed emotions for Arsenal fans as their team walked away from Craven Cottage with just a point after a 1-1 draw against Fulham. Manager Mikel Arteta didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment, admitting he was “gutted” by the result. But in true Arteta fashion, he also gave credit where it was due, acknowledging the quality of the opposition. The question now is: has Arsenal become too reliant on their set-piece prowess to stay competitive in the Premier League title race?
Defender William Saliba was the hero of the day for the Gunners, salvaging a point with a trademark set-piece goal in the 52nd minute. This came after Fulham’s Raúl Jiménez had opened the scoring in the first half. Despite dominating possession with a staggering 70%, Arsenal couldn’t find the decisive goal to secure all three points. Even a late effort from Bukayo Saka was ruled out for offside by VAR, leaving the Gunners frustrated.
Arteta: “We Fully Deserved to Win”
Speaking to reporters after the match, Arteta didn’t mince words about his team’s performance. “Gutted that we didn’t win it. We fully deserved to win it,” he said. “That’s the quality of the opposition, so you cannot cry about it.”
Arteta was quick to highlight Arsenal’s attacking intent, saying, “We generated all the chances, but it’s so difficult to attack. We did almost everything that we had to do to win it. For millimetres, we could have been here with a really dominant win.”
However, the manager also emphasized the need for more clinical finishing. “It’s never enough if you don’t score three, four, or five. If they [opposition sides] play 11 direct balls, I want to win 11. We want to win 100%,” he added.
Fulham: Arsenal’s Kryptonite?
Fulham has proven to be a tough nut to crack for Arsenal in recent times. Last season, the Cottagers managed a win at home and a draw at the Emirates, and Saturday’s result only added to their reputation as a thorn in Arsenal’s side. Despite this, Arteta defended his makeshift backline, which was missing key players like Gabriel Magalhães due to injury.
When asked if Gabriel’s presence could have prevented Jiménez’s early goal, Arteta responded, “I cannot promise you with different personnel it wouldn’t happen. Sometimes you have to praise the opposition.”
He also praised the efforts of Jakub Kiwior, who stepped in for the injured Gabriel. “We had to change the whole unit. That’s it, they [injured players] are not available. We have to respond to that, and I’m very happy with the way they did,” Arteta said.
Set-Piece Prowess: A Double-Edged Sword?
While Arsenal’s ability to capitalize on set pieces has been a strength, it’s also becoming a point of concern. Are the Gunners relying too heavily on these moments to bail them out? Saliba’s goal was yet another example of Arsenal’s proficiency in this area, but the lack of open-play goals raises questions about their attacking versatility.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Arsenal’s performance against Fulham:
- Possession: 70%
- Goals: 1 (William Saliba, set-piece)
- Disallowed Goals: 1 (Bukayo Saka, offside)
- League Position: 3rd (two points behind Chelsea, six behind Liverpool)
With Arsenal now sitting third in the Premier League table, two points behind Chelsea and six behind league leaders Liverpool, the pressure is mounting. If the Gunners are to mount a serious title challenge, they’ll need to find more ways to break down stubborn defenses beyond their set-piece magic.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
As the season progresses, Arsenal will need to address their reliance on set pieces and find a way to convert their dominance in possession into more goals. With key players like Gabriel Magalhães sidelined, the team’s depth will also be tested. But if there’s one thing Arteta has shown, it’s his ability to adapt and rally his squad in the face of adversity.
For now, Arsenal fans will be hoping their team can bounce back and rediscover the form that made them early title contenders. The road ahead won’t be easy, but with players like Saliba and Saka stepping up, the Gunners still have plenty of reasons to believe.
Originally Written by: Luis Miguel Echegaray
