Sports

Sluggish Arsenal blow chance to be atop of the table

"The Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta admitted that this is the worse performance by his side this season, with his side ending 2023 with back-to- back defeat"

1.2k

Lethargic Arsenal blew the chance to end the year to top the table after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta admitted that this is the worse performance by his side this season, with his side ending 2023 with back-to- back defeat.

The Gunners had taken the lead at Craven Cottage through Bukayo Saka, but Raul Jimenez and Bobby Decordova-Reid turned the match around for the hosts.

The win sees Fulham, who end a run of three straight defeats without scoring a goal, move up to 13th on the table.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, who were top of the table on Christmas Day, have just one win in their last five games in the league.

The defeat caps a disappointing few days as they finished the year fourth and missed out on a second chance to go top of the Premier League, leaving Liverpool with an opportunity to go three points clear when they face Newcastle on New Year’s Day.

Arteta said: “We weren’t good enough, simple as that. We lost a game a few days ago that we deserved to win but today we were nowhere near the level.

“You have to play 100 mins in this league, it is a really sad day because we didn’t deserve to win the game.

“To try to change the dynamic of the game for sure, to have more threat but we didn’t get going because we gave every game away. It was difficult to create any momentum.

“The way we conceded the goals today, this is football and credit to Fulham as well. We had a great performance against Liverpool and West Ham but we didn’t win.

“Today is the one you have to isolate as it was the worst of the season.”

The Arsenal boss, when quizzed about the possibility of a January transfer to enable them achieve their target this season, played down the chance of signings, as he claimed the club would continue to play “with the same players.”

The loss against Fulham sees Arsenal remain two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and Aston Villa, as well as remaining level on points with reigning champions Man City.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Guardiola admits Manchester City’s struggle amid injury crisis

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that the club will struggle...

Pres.Tinubu Unveils Ambitious Plan to Revamp Nigeria’s Dilapidated Stadiums

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has outlined...

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Breaking: Manchester United Appoints Ruben Amorim as New Manager on Two-and-a-Half Year Deal

Manchester United has confirmed the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club’s...

Golden Jubilee: Soneye Strikes decisive goal as FS 50 edges Okocha’s FS Legends 2-1

In a thrilling match commemorating Mr. Olufemi Soneye’s 50th birthday, Team FS...

Breaking: Manchester United Sack Erik Ten Hag After West Ham Defeat

Just three months into the new season, Manchester United fired Erik Ten...

Nigeria Thrash Niger Republic 3-1, Qualify for 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles secured a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Niger Republic’s...

Motsepe Seeks Re-Election as CAF President Amid Financial Prudence

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has announced his bid...

Breaking: CAF Disciplinary Board Fines Libya $50,000, Awards Nigeria 3-0 Victory

The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Disciplinary Board has ruled in favour...

WAFU B U20 Champ: Flying Eagles romp into semi-finals, beating Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 2-1

Nigeria overcame a fierce match against Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in Lome on...

Nigeria’s duo of Lookman, Osimhen nominated for 2024 IFFHS men’s World Best Player Award

Super Eagles stars, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, have been nominated for...

Super Eagles Soar to 36th position in FIFA rankings

Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has made significant strides in...

Nigeria Edges Dominican Republic, Faces USA in Quarter-Finals

Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, secured a thrilling 1-0 victory over...

Kylian Mbappe under investigation for rape, sexual harassment in Sweden

Kylian Mbappe, the French international footballer, is being investigated by Swedish police...

Nigeria vs. Libya: CAF Pres. vows to address unethical sportsmanship issues in African football

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has...

Super Falcons prepare for Algeria friendlies

Nigeria’s national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, has stepped up preparations...

Dominican Republic 2024: Nigeria’s Flamingos Soar into Quarter-Finals, Thrash Ecuador 4-0

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, secured a quarter-final spot in...

Super Eagles star Victor Boniface escapes unhurt after horrific car crash

Nigerian international Victor Boniface miraculously survived a severe car accident on Sunday,...

Nigeria’s Flamingoes Thrash New Zealand 4-1 in U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingoes, secured a convincing 4-1 victory over...

Thomas Tuchel Set to Become New England Manager

The Football Association is about to name Thomas Tuchel as the permanent...