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I saw one Arsenal player seriously struggle vs Fulham, he cost Mikel Arteta points

Lucas Arnold

Sun 8 December 2024 18:55, UK

Despite their best efforts against Fulham at Craven Cottage, Arsenal failed to make the most of their opportunity to close the gap to Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

Mikel Arteta watched his Arsenal side deliver an undercooked performance in west London once again, a ground at wh✃ich the Gunners also struggled last season.

Bukayo Saka thought he’d🌼 won it late on, the kind of goal which would have negated a frustrating showing, a game in which achieving three points was all that really mattered.

However, Gabriel Martinelli didn’t hold his ruꦺn quite enough and Arsenal felt a similar frustration as they did moments later at the ful𓃲l-time whistle.

As they have most of the season, Fulham def🤪ended resolutely, and also managed to take their only chance of the game, a vintage moment for Raul🎃 Jimenez.

However, in a game in which Arsenal were struggling to create, Jakub Kiwior ultimately let the Gunners down.

Jakub Kiwior punished for costly error against Fulham

Perhaps it’s slightly harsh to bash the defender for one lapse of concent𓆏ration in the 11th minute, but that’s all it took for Arsenal to go behind.

On another day, Jimenౠez blasts over and Kiwior’s lethargy or lack of awareness which let the Mexico international get in behind would have been quickly🦹 forgotten.

READ MORE: Martin Zubimendi’s January tr🌄ansfer stance revealed as Arsenal and Liverpo🌺ol circle

Howev🎃er, Arsenal and Kiwior were punished on this occasion, and Arteta’s💮 side weren’t able to find two goals to still collect the three points.

Kiwior was excellent against Manchester United and looked as if he’d been hard done by, often sitting on the periphery of things and playing out of position when he did get a💟 chan✃ce.

But just a few days later, the defender demonstrated that he’s still a significant downgrade on Gabriel Magalh📖aes🎉, especially when he was also physically dominated by second half substitute Rodrigo Muniz.

How does Mikel Arteta solve his Jakub Kiwior conundrum?

It’s difficult to conclude how Arsenal should handle Kiwior’s situation moving forward – will he get 🐻better with more minutes?

Or🐷 was his display against Fulham another🐲 nail in the coffin for a January departure?

Kiwior has been linked with Serie A return in recentꦅ windows🐼, largely due to his lack of chances in the first team.

And judging by his error against Fulh🎶am, Kiwior’s position i🍎s unlikely to improve long-term once Gabriel is ready again.

A game of fineඣ margins and as stated, had Arsenal won 2-1, 𝓰the mistake of letting Jimenez in behind would have simply been put down to experience.

However, Arteta’s si꧃de were punished on this occasion, missing a huge chance to capitalise on Liverpool ♔not playing.