VAR controversy denies Arsenal late winner against Fulham
- Raul Jimenez scored the opening goal for Fulham in the 12th minute.
- Arsenal equalized with a goal from Saliba in the second half, but a late winner from Saka was disallowed following a VAR review.
- The match reflects Arsenal's ongoing struggles against Fulham and the significance of officiating decisions in determining match outcomes.
In England, Arsenal faced Fulham on December 8, 2024, in a Premier League match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for Fulham early in the game, finding the net after just 12 minutes. He capitalized on a well-placed pass from Kenny Tete, showcasing Fulham's ability to create opportunities against a strong Arsenal side. Despite Arsenal's impressive record in set pieces and corner goals, they struggled initially to break Fulham's defense. As the match progressed into the second half, Arsenal began to gain momentum and increased their attacking efforts. Saliba eventually found the equalizer for Arsenal, taking advantage of an unmarked position during a corner. Following this, Arsenal pressed hard for a victory, and in the dying moments of the match, Bukayo Saka appeared to have secured a last-minute winner. However, the excitement was short-lived as the goal was disallowed after a VAR review determined Gabriel Martinelli had been offside in the build-up to the goal. This late VAR decision came as a significant disappointment for Arsenal, who were eager to secure three vital points in the title race. The team has been well aware of the 'small margins' that can impact their chances, especially after failing to defeat Fulham in their previous encounters. The disallowed goal and the nature of the tight offside calls serve as reminders of how crucial every detail can be in high-stakes matches. Arsenal's inability to win against Fulham last season greatly hampered their title aspirations, making this result all the more frustrating. In the aftermath of the match, analysts pointed out Fulham's effective strategies, which previously allowed them to earn points against Arsenal. Their resilience in managing to hold onto the draw reflects their recent good form as they enjoy their best start to a campaign. Arsenal, while disappointed, still demonstrated their capability of creating goal-scoring opportunities, particularly from set pieces, which have been a significant strength in recent matches. The performance highlighted the continued challenges teams face in navigating tight officiating decisions alongside weather conditions that influenced the game, leaving both sides to consider their next approaches going forward.