Fulham 1-1 Arsenal

You've got to love VAR! Robbed again!

Saka heads home from close range and it gets chalked off by VAR, who claim that Martinelli was a gnat's wing's breadth offside. It's supposed to be clear and obvious. Surely if it's that close, it doesn't fit the definition.

Before that, the VAR team did their level best to rule out Saliba's equaliser from a corner, but after a few minutes they couldn't manage it. They must've been choked!

In the end, Arsenal were denied all three points by officiating yet again. Don't talk to me about a level-playing field!

Fulham 1-0 Arsenal

Fulham are becoming a bogey team for Arsenal.

After Raul outpaced Kiwior to shoot across Raya to put the Cottagers ahead, Arsenal's early domination was cut short.

Quite how Raya was blamed for that goal by one of the pundits, Don Hutchison, if I'm not mistaken, is beyond belief as it was a great shot into the far corner. Glenn Hoddle in the studio said Raya wasn't 'set', so maybe the pundits are right, after all. However, Kiwior was outpaced and outfoxed by Raul, in my opinion. A keeper can't be blamed for a shot that beats him at the far post, hitting the side netting.

After going down 1-0, the confidence visibly leaked from Arsenal, but Saka did manage to get a shot in on target.

It's going to be a tough ask to come back from this in the second half, especially as Odegaard is limping.

Top ten Arsenal FC stories 5th Dec 2024

Here are the top ten recent stories related to Arsenal as of December 5, 2024:

1. Arsenal's Set-Piece Prowess Against Manchester United: In a 2-0 victory over Manchester United, Arsenal showcased their set-piece strength with goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both originating from corners. Manager Mikel Arteta praised the team's adaptability and determination, emphasizing the importance of being versatile in attack.

2. Comparisons to Stoke City: Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov likened Arsenal to the "new Stoke City" due to their effective use of set-pieces, a tactic that proved decisive in their recent win over Manchester United.

3. Gary Neville's Critique of Manchester United's Defense: Commentator Gary Neville criticized Manchester United's defensive lapses during their loss to Arsenal, particularly their inability to defend set-pieces, which led to both of Arsenal's goals.

4. Manchester United's Failed Pre-Match Preparations: Despite practicing defending corners during their warm-up, Manchester United conceded twice from such situations against Arsenal, highlighting a significant defensive shortcoming.

5. Fan Reactions to Arsenal's Tactics: Some Manchester United fans and pundits have criticized Arsenal's reliance on set-piece goals, with comparisons to the physical style of play associated with Stoke City under Tony Pulis.

6. Set-Piece Coach Nicolas Jover's Impact: Gary Neville referred to Arsenal's set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, as the "most annoying bloke in football," while Jamie Carragher acknowledged his effectiveness, suggesting he deserves a substantial salary for his contributions to Arsenal's success in set-pieces.

7. Ruben Amorim's First Defeat with Manchester United: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim experienced his first defeat since taking charge, with Arsenal's set-piece goals proving decisive in the 2-0 result.

8. Arsenal's Advanced Talks with Roberto Olabe: Arsenal is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Real Sociedad's director of football, Roberto Olabe, to replace Edu, who recently joined Nottingham Forest.

9. FA Cup Third Round Draw: The FA Cup third-round draw has pitted Arsenal against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, setting up a high-profile clash between the two Premier League giants.

10. Premier League Updates: Arsenal's recent victory over Manchester United marks their fourth consecutive win, closing the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to seven points. Meanwhile, West Ham is reportedly in discussions with Max Allegri for their managerial position.

The Loose Cannon’s Arsenal FC Diary November 2024

In November 2024, Arsenal FC experienced a series of significant events both on and off the pitch. Here's a diary-style summary highlighting the most notable news stories for each day:

November 1, 2024

• Edu Gaspar Resigns as Sporting Director: Edu Gaspar announced his resignation from Arsenal to join Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis' football empire. Edu played a crucial role in overhauling the club's culture alongside manager Mikel Arteta. He expressed gratitude to Arsenal's leadership and colleagues, especially Arteta, whom he considers a close friend.

November 2, 2024

• Arsenal Targets Luis Campos as New Sporting Director: Following Edu's departure, Arsenal is considering appointing Luis Campos, known for discovering talents like Kylian Mbappé, as their new sporting director. Campos currently serves as Football Advisor at Paris Saint-Germain.

November 3, 2024

• Arsenal Fans React to Leaked Third Kit Design: A leaked image revealed a potential return of the 2007-2009 third kit design for the 2025/26 season, featuring a white base with maroon and gold detailing. Fans expressed excitement and nostalgia, with many eager to purchase the new kit.

November 4, 2024

• Leandro Trossard Suffers Injury During International Duty: Leandro Trossard was forced to leave the field during Belgium's defeat to Israel in the UEFA Nations League, adding to Arsenal's injury concerns. This development poses a significant challenge as the team returns to Premier League action.

November 5, 2024

• Inside Edu's Move to Nottingham Forest: Further insights emerged regarding Edu Gaspar's decision to leave Arsenal for a role under Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. The move is driven by the desire for greater power and control, despite the risks associated with Marinakis' unpredictable nature.

November 6, 2024

• Champions League Defeat: Arsenal suffered a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League. A penalty converted by Hakan Çalhanoğlu in first-half stoppage time was the decisive moment. Despite dominating the second half, Arsenal couldn't break through Inter's defense, marking their third away defeat in 18 days.

November 7, 2024

• Arsenal Linked with Viktor Gyökeres: Reports suggest that Arsenal is interested in signing Sporting CP's striker Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish international has been in impressive form, attracting attention from several Premier League clubs.

November 8, 2024

• Mikel Arteta Addresses Team's Form: Manager Mikel Arteta held a press conference addressing the team's recent dip in form, emphasizing the need for resilience and focus as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.

November 9, 2024

• Arsenal Prepares for Chelsea Clash: The team conducted a final training session ahead of their Premier League match against Chelsea, with emphasis on tactical drills and set-piece routines.

November 10, 2024

• Premier League Draw: Arsenal drew 1-1 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring on the hour mark, but Pedro Neto equalized with a long-range effort ten minutes later. The draw extended Arsenal's winless streak in the Premier League to four matches.

November 11, 2024

• Training Focus on Defensive Solidity: In response to recent results, training sessions focused on enhancing defensive coordination and reducing individual errors.

November 12, 2024

• Scouting Mission in Germany: Arsenal scouts were reportedly present at a Bundesliga match, assessing potential transfer targets for the upcoming window.

November 13, 2024

• Ben White Undergoes Surgery: Defender Ben White underwent surgery to address a knee issue that had been troubling him for weeks. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately two months, adding to Arsenal's injury concerns.

November 14, 2024

• Youth Team Success: Arsenal's U-21 team secured a 3-1 victory over their Tottenham Hotspur counterparts, showcasing the depth of talent in the club's academy.

November 15, 2024

• Contract Talks with Key Players: The club initiated contract extension discussions with pivotal first-team players to secure their long-term futures at Arsenal.

November 16, 2024

• Community Engagement: Several first-team players participated in a community outreach program, visiting local schools and hospitals to engage with fans and residents.

November 17, 2024

• International Duty Performances: Arsenal players representing their national teams delivered notable performances, with Bukayo Saka scoring in England's 2-0 win over Spain.

November 18, 2024

• Return of International Players: Players returned from international duty, with medical assessments conducted to ensure readiness for upcoming club fixtures.

November 19, 2024

• Preparations for Nottingham Forest Match: Training sessions intensified ahead of the Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest, focusing on attacking strategies.

November 20, 2024

• Press Conference Highlights: Mikel Arteta addressed the media, providing updates on team news and expressing confidence in the squad's ability to return to winning ways.

November 21, 2024

• Injury Updates: The medical team provided updates on injured players, with some nearing return while others require extended recovery periods.

November 22, 2024

• Tactical Drills Emphasized: The coaching staff implemented specific tactical drills aimed at exploiting Nottingham Forest's defensive weaknesses.

November 23, 2024

• Victory Over Nottingham Forest: Arsenal secured a 3-0 home win against Nottingham Forest. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, and Ethan Nwaneri ended the team's four-game league winless streak. This match also marked Mikel Arteta's 250th game in charge and Arsenal's 2,000th top-flight victory.

November 24, 2024

• Positive Post-Match Reactions: Fans and pundits celebrated Arsenal's emphatic victory over Nottingham Forest. Bukayo Saka's performance received particular praise, with discussions about his increasing influence as a leader on the pitch.

November 25, 2024

• Mikel Arteta on Future Goals: In an exclusive interview, Mikel Arteta outlined his long-term vision for Arsenal, emphasizing sustained success in domestic and European competitions. He also highlighted the importance of youth development within the club.

November 26, 2024

• Champions League Triumph: Arsenal achieved a commanding 5-1 away victory over Sporting CP in the Champions League. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard highlighted the team's attacking prowess. This win matched a club record for the largest away victory in European competition.

November 27, 2024

• Bukayo Saka Contract Speculations: Reports emerged about Arsenal's intent to tie Bukayo Saka to a new long-term deal, warding off interest from other top European clubs.

November 28, 2024

• Preparations for West Ham Clash: The team returned to training with a focus on tactical setups and fitness management ahead of the upcoming London derby against West Ham.

November 29, 2024

• Team News Announced: Mikel Arteta confirmed the return of several key players from injury, adding depth to the squad for the West Ham match.

November 30, 2024

• Thrilling Win Against West Ham: Arsenal defeated West Ham United 5-2 at the London Stadium. First-half goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Leandro Trossard, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and a penalty from Bukayo Saka secured the win. This result moved Arsenal up to second place in the Premier League standings.

November 2024 showcased a mix of challenges and triumphs for Arsenal FC. With key victories, significant individual performances, and strategic planning, the club demonstrated its potential to compete at the highest levels across all competitions.