Kick-Off Chaos: Late Equalizer Stuns Arsenal in Dramatic DrawKick-Off Chaos: Late Equalizer Stuns Arsenal in Dramatic Draw Arsenal’s Premier League campaign got off to a chaotic start as they were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw by Fulham at the Emirates Stadium. In a pulsating encounter filled with late drama, the Gunners were left to rue a costly lapse of concentration in the dying moments. The match exploded into life in the opening minutes, with Arsenal taking the lead through a stunning strike from Gabriel Martinelli in just the fourth minute. The Brazilian maestro received a pass on the left wing, cut inside, and unleashed an unstoppable curling effort that found the top corner. Fulham responded with vigor and equalised in the 28th minute courtesy of Mitrovic. The Serbian striker capitalized on a defensive mix-up to pounce on a loose ball and slot it past Aaron Ramsdale. Arsenal regained the lead just before half-time, as Bukayo Saka threaded a delightful pass through to Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian midfielder coolly slotted home to put the Gunners back in front. With the match seemingly heading towards a hard-fought Arsenal victory, chaos ensued in the dying seconds. Fulham won a free-kick deep in Arsenal territory, and Mitrovic rose magnificently to power a header past Ramsdale. The Emirates Stadium erupted in a mix of disbelief and despair. Late Equalizer Shatters Arsenal Hopes The late equalizer left Arsenal stunned and their hopes of starting the season with a win in tatters. Manager Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as his team squandered a two-goal lead. “It’s a tough one to take,” Arteta said after the match. “We dominated the game and should have closed it out. We made a mistake at the end, and it cost us two points.” Mitrovic the Match-Winner Aleksandar Mitrovic was Fulham’s hero, scoring both goals for the Cottagers. The Serbian international showed his predatory instincts and proved to be a handful for the Arsenal defence. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Mitrovic said. “I’m so proud of my team. We showed great character to come back from two goals down.” Arsenal Left to Rue Missed Chances Arsenal will be left to rue their missed chances, particularly in the second half. Gabriel Jesus had a glorious opportunity to seal the victory but fired wide from close range. “We had enough chances to win the game,” said skipper Martin Odegaard. “We need to be more clinical and learn from our mistakes.” The draw extends Arsenal’s winless run against newly promoted teams to seven matches, a concerning statistic that will need to be addressed as the season progresses. Fulham, meanwhile, can take great pride in their performance and will be buoyed by this hard-fought point.
