Arsenal’s hopes of closing the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool were dealt a blow as they were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Despite dominating large portions of the game, the Gunners found themselves at the mercy of VAR, which played a pivotal role in the afternoon’s outcome.
The stakes were high for Mikel Arteta’s side, who knew that a victory would cut Liverpool’s lead to just four points, especially with the Reds’ derby against Everton postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
However, Arsenal’s start to the match was far from ideal. A sluggish first half saw them fall behind early, as Raul Jimenez capitalized on some hesitant defending to put Fulham ahead with a well-taken strike.
Arsenal’s response after the break was immediate and decisive. Arteta’s halftime team talk appeared to galvanize his players, and they came out with renewed energy.
The equalizer arrived in the 52nd minute when William Saliba converted from close range following a set-piece situation.
The goal initially sparked celebrations among the traveling Arsenal faithful, but a tense VAR check followed to confirm the onside position.
After a thorough review, the goal was upheld, much to the relief of Arteta and his team.
The Premier League’s Match Centre later clarified the decision via a tweet: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Saliba was in an onside position.”
This moment gave Arsenal hope of turning the tide in their favor, but it also set the stage for further VAR drama later in the match.
As the clock ticked down, Arsenal pushed for a winner, and it seemed like they had found it in the dying moments.
Bukayo Saka headed home a pinpoint cross from Gabriel Martinelli, sparking wild celebrations. However, those celebrations were cut short when VAR intervened once again.
After a detailed review, it was determined that Martinelli had strayed just offside in the buildup. The goal was disallowed, leaving Arsenal frustrated and their fans deflated.
In a post-match statement, the Premier League explained the decision: “Saka’s goal was initially awarded on-field. VAR checked and determined that Martinelli was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal be disallowed.”
The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool, with the leaders still holding a game in hand that could see their advantage extended to nine points.
For Arsenal, the result feels like a missed opportunity in their pursuit of the Premier League title, especially given the tight margins at the top of the table.
Speaking after the match, Arteta expressed disappointment but remained optimistic: “We showed character to come back and dominate, but the small details can make a big difference. We’ll take the positives and focus on our next game.”
The VAR decisions have sparked heated debate among fans and pundits alike. While some argue that the technology ensured the correct calls were made, others believe it disrupted the flow of the game and robbed Arsenal of crucial momentum.
For Arsenal, it is yet another instance of fine margins determining their fate in what is shaping up to be an incredibly tight title race.
Fulham, on the other hand, will take great pride in their performance. Marco Silva’s side defended resolutely and took their chance when it came, earning a hard-fought point against one of the league’s top teams.
For them, this result adds to a solid campaign where they continue to punch above their weight.
As Arsenal look ahead, the focus will undoubtedly be on improving their consistency and ensuring they take maximum points in the coming fixtures.
With games against Everton and Brighton on the horizon, Arteta’s men cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to keep pace with Liverpool and Manchester City in the race for the title.
For now, however, the Gunners are left to rue what might have been—a match dominated by VAR decisions that could have shifted the title race but instead left them with just a solitary point.