Fulham loss difficult to swallow

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shared his insights on their 2-1 loss against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, December 31, 2023, their second loss in as many matches.

Despite taking an early lead through Bukayo Saka, the Gunners found themselves on the losing end when the final whistle blew, courtesy of goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby De Cordova-Reid on either side of the break.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Arteta, who last season saw their title charge capitulate in the ultimate stages of the season, described the loss as their worst game of the season.

Fulham loss difficult to swallow - Mikel Arteta — England winger Bukayo Saka celebrates giving Arsenal a 5th-minute lead in their 2-1 loss against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, December 31, 2023. [Photo/Arsenal].

“Today was our worst game of the season. We were sloppy with the ball. It wasn’t good enough. We didn’t deserve to win. If we play like today, we will be nowhere near,” said the former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Everton midfielder.

A week ago, on Christmas Day, the Gunners were top of the Premier League log with 40 points from 18 games. However, back-to-back defeats against West Ham (2-0 on Thursday, December 28, 2023) and Fulham have seen them drop to fourth.

Liverpool leads the race with 42 points, and they may just widen the gap at the summit if they win their 20th game of the season – at home to out-of-form Newcastle United on January 1, 2024.

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“When you have opportunities to go top of the league on December 31 and now end up with a really bad feeling, that is football. Today was a really difficult day to swallow,” Arteta added.

Arsenal are next at home to Liverpool in the FACup third round on January 7 before returning to Premier League action on January 20 against Crystal Palace.