In the final Premier League match of 2023, Fulham faced off against Arsenal at Craven Cottage, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka scored the opening goal after a break involving Havertz and Martinelli, whose shot was parried by Fulham's keeper, leading to Saka's finish. Fulham's equalizer came from a well-orchestrated attack as Bassey, Willian, and Cairney set up a cross for Jimenez to convert at the back post. The match also featured a VAR check for a potential foul on Saliba, but no penalty was awarded. Arsenal's goalkeeper, David Raya, briefly paused the game to receive treatment, with Aaron Ramsdale warming up as a precaution. Gabriel Jesus started on the bench for Arsenal. The match was available for live listening on BBC Sounds.
#ffc 1-1 #afc Fulham break quickly and equalise. Cairney whips in a cross from the left which Jimenez finishes smartly at the back post.
Thoroughly deserved. Bassey starts the attack with a great challenge on Saka, might have hurt himself in the process. But Fulham then break. Willian to Cairney on the overlap, super cross to Jimenez at the back post who makes no mistake. 1-1! #FFC #FULARS
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal - Jimenez. Bassey strong in the tackle with Saka and Fulham immediately look to attack Arsenal's right again. Ends with Jimenez finishes a low cross at the back post
Play resumes with Raya still on. Ramsdale still warming up though
Quick pause in play as David Raya is receiving treatment. Aaron Ramsdale now warming up
Fulham want a foul after De Cordova-Reid robs Saliba of the ball in the box. VAR looks but nothing given. Jimenez then shoots over from a corner. #FFC #FULARS
Fulham have responded pretty well since the goal. Seen a good amount of the ball, have worked into the final third. Some tidy sequences -- just broke the press nicely in the left back area. Couple of chances too. #FULARS #FFC
Fulham getting joy down Arsenal's right again. Whenever White steps up, they clip a ball in behind. This time the move ends with Willian curling wide
Another Fulham attack and the crowd responds. Iwobi's cross finds Willian at the back post, he cuts inside and shoots, but it drops wide. #FFC #FULARS
Fulham break down Arsenal's right and it ends with Jimenez shooting straight at Raya. Second time Robinson's been found in that position in the last few minutes
Really good chance for Jimenez, following an excellent Fulham move. Willian sends Robinson away down the left, he picks out Jimenez with his low cross and the striker tries to just side-foot it past Raya, but the Arsenal keeper reads it and holds the ball. #FFC #FULARS
The perfect start for Arsenal. 🎧 Listen on @BBCSounds: https://t.co/kQ9Xcv5G8J #BBCFootball #FULARS https://t.co/uSjSFYbAZe
More intent in Arsenal's actions so far than in midweek. Rice punching that pass into Odegaard early on and the decision-making from Raya, Havertz and Martinelli for the goal Good signs but need to keep it up https://t.co/IKfm6cjrCl
I don't think Arsenal often get the chance to counter like that. Fulham opened up, committed some bodies forward and were hit on the break. Chasing the game so early not ideal. #FFC
#ffc 0-1 #afc Martinelli races down the left, cuts inside, shoots, Leno saves it but Saka turns in the loose ball.
Fulham had their first attack, Raya claimed possession and then the visitors broke at pace. Martinelli cut inside, shot, Leno saved and it hit Saka and went in. A very, very tight offside call here. #FFC #FULARS
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal - Saka! Raya starts a break down the left. Havertz passes to Martinelli who carries up to the box. His shot is parried into Saka's path who finishes
Odegaard tries to curl a shot into the top corner, doesn't get enough bend on it. Fulham dropping quite deep in these very early stages, deeper than normal, maybe a West Ham follow up after midweek? #FFC
First half-chance for Arsenal. Rice punches the ball into Odegaard on the edge of the box. Him and Saka fight well to keep it but Odegaard then curls wide
Arsenal with kick off. They're in a green/blue strip. Iwobi in a central role for Fulham, the right No 8. Cairney to the left. #FFC #FULARS
We are under way in the Premier League for the final time in 2023 Gabriel Jesus starts on the bench for Arsenal at Fulham. And Spurs host Bournemouth. 📲 Listen on @BBCSounds and @5liveSport #BBCFootball #FULARS #TOTBOU https://t.co/pl05Dloo9Z
A choice of listening: ⚪️ Fulham v Arsenal 🔴 ⚪️ Spurs v Bournemouth 🍒 Both games are live on @BBCSounds: https://t.co/kQ9Xcv5G8J #BBCFootball #FULARS #TOTBOU https://t.co/33HereOQqx
At Craven Cottage for Fulham v Arsenal. https://t.co/8P8OojiDLc
⚪ Fulham v Arsenal 🔴 @bbcjohnmurray runs the rule over both sides' form. 🤔 Your predictions? Listen on @BBCSounds: https://t.co/kQ9Xcv5G8J #BBCFootball #FULARS https://t.co/H8c6zIyDs8