Sport nationWhy Mikel Arteta shouted at Bukayo Saka amid Arsenal frustration at Fulham in the title race
Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka and Alex Iwobi all feature in Arsenal’s moments missed from a potentially damaging defeat against Fulham in the Premier League title race
Mikel Arteta was not pleased with Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s clash with Fulham.
Mikel Arteta was not pleased with Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s clash with Fulham.
Arsenal travelled to Craven Cottage to face Fulham needing to win to reclaim top spot before Liverpool hosted Newcastle United in one of the first games of 2024. However, it was not to be and instead a defeat meant they finished in fourth.
Despite the painful midweek defeat, Mikel Arteta’s side failed to build on an early first goal from Bukayo Saka with Raul Jimenez securing the equaliser prior to halftime. Bobby De Cordova-Reid gave the home side the lead, one which they would hang on to and condemn the Gunners to a harrowing loss.
Although the game was being shown on Sky Sports, the television cameras were unable to catch everything. Thankfully, football.london was in attendance to catch all of the moments missed and fill you in from behind the scenes inside Craven Cottage.
Nketiah on a mission
Eddie Nketiah was given the chance of a start at the end of 2023. The England international ushered out Gabriel Jesus from the starting XI that faced West Ham three days earlier after the Brazilian’s poor finishing.
With the teams warming up for the game, Nketiah joined his fellow starters in the shooting drills. Combing with fellow Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard his finishing looked incredibly impressive.
Both goalkeepers, Aaron Ramsdale and Karl Hein were unable to save any of the attempts the forward got on target. However in the game he fed off very little and had just one half chance to score which was not taken – raising more questions over the centre-forward position.
READ MORE: Why Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus miss Fulham vs Arsenal as Arteta decisions explained
READ MORE: Fulham vs Arsenal LIVE – Score updates, TV channel, confirmed team news, live stream details
The meeting of old friends
It was a chance for old friends to say their greetings before the New Year came in. Bernd Leno was able to greet former teammates of the recent and distant past.
A former Arsenal teammate to plenty of the current side including skipper Martin Odegaard who he shared a hug with. Kai Havertz, Germany teammate and both from the school of Bayer Leverkusen of course.
Alex Iwobi shared his own moments with fellow Hale End graduates Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah. The trio came through the famous Arsenal academy with the latter leading the now-established group in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arteta not happy with Saka
Mikel Arteta was a frustrated figure for much of the game. As he walked in at half-time, he strode with his head down and a stern expression – I assume you would not have wanted to be on the receiving end of that half-time team talk.
However, as the second half began with the scores level, Bukayo Saka was the first on the end of the Spaniard’s frustration. As the England international received the ball and strode centrally across the field, an easy pass to Gabriel Magalhaes opened up.
However, it was an under-hit attempt to find the defender and easily intercepted when it really never should have had the chance. Arteta on the sideline threw his arms angrily into the air as he had done so many times throughout the game as his side continued to be lax in possession.
Why Mikel Arteta shouted at Bukayo Saka amid Arsenal frustration at Fulham in the title race
Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka and Alex Iwobi all feature in Arsenal’s moments missed from a potentially damaging defeat against Fulham in the Premier League title race
Mikel Arteta was not pleased with Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s clash with Fulham.
Mikel Arteta was not pleased with Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s clash with Fulham.
Arsenal travelled to Craven Cottage to face Fulham needing to win to reclaim top spot before Liverpool hosted Newcastle United in one of the first games of 2024. However, it was not to be and instead a defeat meant they finished in fourth.
Despite the painful midweek defeat, Mikel Arteta’s side failed to build on an early first goal from Bukayo Saka with Raul Jimenez securing the equaliser prior to halftime. Bobby De Cordova-Reid gave the home side the lead, one which they would hang on to and condemn the Gunners to a harrowing loss.
Although the game was being shown on Sky Sports, the television cameras were unable to catch everything. Thankfully, football.london was in attendance to catch all of the moments missed and fill you in from behind the scenes inside Craven Cottage.
Nketiah on a mission
Eddie Nketiah was given the chance of a start at the end of 2023. The England international ushered out Gabriel Jesus from the starting XI that faced West Ham three days earlier after the Brazilian’s poor finishing.
With the teams warming up for the game, Nketiah joined his fellow starters in the shooting drills. Combing with fellow Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard his finishing looked incredibly impressive.
Both goalkeepers, Aaron Ramsdale and Karl Hein were unable to save any of the attempts the forward got on target. However in the game he fed off very little and had just one half chance to score which was not taken – raising more questions over the centre-forward position.
READ MORE: Why Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus miss Fulham vs Arsenal as Arteta decisions explained
READ MORE: Fulham vs Arsenal LIVE – Score updates, TV channel, confirmed team news, live stream details
The meeting of old friends
It was a chance for old friends to say their greetings before the New Year came in. Bernd Leno was able to greet former teammates of the recent and distant past.
A former Arsenal teammate to plenty of the current side including skipper Martin Odegaard who he shared a hug with. Kai Havertz, Germany teammate and both from the school of Bayer Leverkusen of course.
Alex Iwobi shared his own moments with fellow Hale End graduates Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah. The trio came through the famous Arsenal academy with the latter leading the now-established group in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arteta not happy with Saka
Mikel Arteta was a frustrated figure for much of the game. As he walked in at half-time, he strode with his head down and a stern expression – I assume you would not have wanted to be on the receiving end of that half-time team talk.
However, as the second half began with the scores level, Bukayo Saka was the first on the end of the Spaniard’s frustration. As the England international received the ball and strode centrally across the field, an easy pass to Gabriel Magalhaes opened up.
However, it was an under-hit attempt to find the defender and easily intercepted when it really never should have had the chance. Arteta on the sideline threw his arms angrily into the air as he had done so many times throughout the game as his side continued to be lax in possession.
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