Arsenal v Fulham player ratings: Saka 6, Vieira 8; Tete 5, Palhina 8

Gunners held at home by Cottagers in Premier League

ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 6: Caught out of position for Fulham’s first-minute goal by Saka’s back-pass and left gap for Pereira to score. Fulham scored from their first two shots on target and nearly made it three from three but Ramsdale blocked well from Traore. Getty

Thomas Partey 5: Wandered out of defence in first minute which left Pereira with space to run through and score. Sloppy pass across own box almost handed chance to Fulham in 35th minute. Did not loom comfortable in defensive role this week. Reuters

Ben White 6: One ball out from back which flew long over attack straight to Fulham’s keeper summed up Arsenal’s passing in opening 45 minutes. The Gunners never looked comfortable at the back for entire match. Getty

William Saliba 6: Usually shaky in first half with both his distribution and positioning as Arsenal’s shape at the back looked all wrong. Improved after break but beaten for pace by Traore late on and needed rescuing by Ramsdale. AP

Jakub Kiwior 7: Rare start for Pole with Tomiyasu suspended, Tierney heading out on loan and Zinchenko on the bench and was arguably the best of Arsenal’s defenders, although not huge amount of competition on day. Reuters

Declan Rice: 8: Excellent from England midfielder who was Arsenal’s most reliable player in first half when most of teammate’s passing radars were off-kilter. Dominated middle of park. Reuters

Martin Odegaard 6: Even Arsenal’s ultra-reliable captain was passing ball straight to Fulham feet in sloppy first half from Gunners. Scored with excellent low finish but denied goal just before break when Havertz caught offside earlier in move. Reuters

Kai Havertz 5: Certainly better playing in deeper attacking role running forward rather than having back to goal up front but still looks short of confidence and crowd were starting to lose patience with German before his second-half substitution. AP

Bukayo Saka 6: Playing in club record 83rd Premier League game in a row, but his woeful back-pass led to Fulham’s early breakthrough. Miss-timed a header sending it over bar after being deceived by slight touch on cross. Sent keeper wrong way from spot to level scores. Getty

Gabriel Martinelli 7: Skipped past Tete as will in first half only to hit two shots straight at the keeper and see another saved by Leno at his near post. Not as dangerous after break, though. Getty

Leandro Trossard 5: In starting XI with Nketiah dropping to bench but his first touch wasn’t happening, never looked like scoring and paid price with half-time hook from manager Arteta. Getty

SUBS: Eddie Nketiah (On for Trossard 56’) 7: Confident run and first-time finish to put Arsenal ahead. Getty

Oleksandr Zinchenko (On for Partey 55’) 7 Helped turn the game in Arsenal's direction, along with the other substitutes, only for Fulham to grab late point. PA

Fabio Vieira (On for Havertz 55’) 8: Scythed down by Tete to secure Arsenal penalty then set-up fellow sub Nketiah for second. Denied late winner by good Leno save. Reuters

Jorginho (On for Odegaard 84’) N/A. Brought on to protect Arsenal's lead, but wasn't to be. Getty

Gabriel Jesus (On for Rice 90’+1 ) N/A. Reuters

FULHAM RATINGS: Bernd Leno 7: Up against former club, German keeper only had to make regulation saves to make right up until when he had to pick ball out of net following Saka’s penalty. Tipped over Vieria shot at death. PA

Kenny Tete 5: Dutch full-back could not cope with Martinelli’s direct running and quick feet in the first half. Looked like he had rode out the storm only to chop down substitute Vieira in the box and give away a penalty. Getty

Issa Diop 8: Gifted Brentford a goal last time out but an error-free week and a very good performance from big Frenchman. Timed challenges well, won numerous big headers in box and was only caught out for second goal because teammate was down injured. AP

Calvin Bassey 7: Booked for time-wasting just after half-time and picked up second yellow seven minutes from time for foul on Nketiah. Shame, as former Ajax man actually had very good game. Injured on ground when Arsenal took lead much to frustration of manager Silva who felt play should have been stopped for a foul. AP

Antonee Robinson 7: Had the usually thankless task of keeping Saka quiet but did OK even when England attacker stepped up gear after break - and there will be plenty of full-backs this season who will not be able to say that. Getty

Joao Palhina 8: What a return for the Portuguese midfielder who slotted comfortably back into team and produced lovely first-time finish to earn 10-man Fulham unlikely point. Was his first league goal of 2023. Reuters

Andreas Pereira 7: Would have been surprised to be gifted early chance by Saka and seemed to miss-cue finish but still able to score at near post. Limped off injured in second half. AP

Sasa Lukic 5: Serbia’s poor touch allowed Arsenal to launch quick country that almost left to Martinelli levelling in opening 20 minutes. Found it tough against one of best midfielders in business in Rice. Booked for poor foul in second half, taken off not long after. AP

Harry Wilson 6: Pulled shot from edge of area wide of target after Arsenal had gifted possession to Cottagers once again in first half. Involvement decreased as game went on. Getty

Raul Jimenez 6: Almost ended his 25-game Premier League drought with spectacular acrobatic effort that flew just over, which had come minutes after being booked for reckless challenge on Saka in first half. Reuters

Bobby De-Cordova Reid 6: Fulham captain’s first chance came at start of second half but could only direct a shot wide of target. Little other threat in front of goal. PA

SUBS: Tom Cairney (On for Pereira 63’) 6: Took over captain’s armband and would help team earn point.

Adama Traore (On for Wilson 71’) 6: Almost won it for Fulham when he outpaced Saliba only to see his shot blocked by Ramsdale. PA

Harrison Reed (On for Lukic 71’) Provided assist for Palhina’s leveller. Getty Tosin Adarabioyo (On for De Cordova-Reid 89’) N/A.

Arsenal and Fulham played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium that saw a late Joao Palhina goal earn the 10-man Cottagers a point.

Fulham had enjoyed a flying start to the game, scoring after just 57 seconds when Andreas Pereira picked up an awful Bukayo Saka back-pass to finish past a backpeddling Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal.

The Gunners had to wait until the 70th minute before levelling when Saka scored from the penalty spot after impressive substitute Fabio Vieira was chopped down by Kenny Tete.

It was 2-1 to Arsenal just two minutes later when Vieira set-up fellow substitute Eddie Nketiah to fire home.

The game looked over seven minutes from time when Fulham defender Calvin Bassey fouled Nketiah on the counter-attack to earn his second yellow card.

But the Cottagers were not to be denied when, three minutes from time, Harrison Reed's corner was met on the half volley by Palhinha who skilfully slotted home into the bottom corner.

“I came from an injury and it was tough for me this last month because I miss all the pre-season,” said Palhinha after the match.

“It is really good to be back and to help my teammates and finish the game like this. Unfortunately we didn't win but I think it is a good result. It is always tough to play against Arsenal.

“We came to try to win but the most important thing was the effort we showed until the end, even with 10 men.”

You can see the player ratings from Saturday's match in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.