Arsenal denied late Saka winner by VAR in draw with Fulham

Bukayo Saka was denied a late winner as Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes suffered a blow in a 1-1 draw with London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The home side moved ahead with their only real attack of the first half when Raul Jimenez slammed home on 11 minutes from a Kenny Tete pass to earn an unlikely lead at half-time.

Arsenal were the dominant force for most of the match and equalised via William Saliba’s close-range finish on 52 minutes via a corner, but could not find the winner with Saka seeing his 88th-minute header ruled out by VAR after sub Gabriel Martinelli was deemed to be offside before delivering the cross for the England winger.

Arsenal remain six points behind leader Liverpool having played a game more with Fulham earning a point to join Brentford in 10th spot.

11′ GOAL! (JIMENEZ) FULHAM 1-0 ARSENAL A goal against the run of play as the home side strike with their first real look at the Arsenal goal. Kenny Tete with the supply work and Raúl Jiménez with a fine finish low and hard into the corner of the net.

37′ LENO TO THE RESCUE FOR FULHAM Bukayo Saka this time manages to get a shot away from the edge of the box, but Bernd Leno cuts an assured figure for the home team to make the stop. Fine stop.

52′ GOAL! FULHAM 1-1 ARSENAL (SALIBA) The visiting fans are loving that moment as Rice goes deep to the back post with a corner. Havertz heads back across goal and Saliba knocks it home. VAR team are checking the replay.

88′ GOAL! FULHAM 1-2 ARSENAL (SAKA) And there is the winner surely! Saka with the close-range header in the final two minutes in front of the visiting fans. Martinelli with the cross to the back post. Over head of Robinson and Saka arrives on blind side to nod home.

89′ THE GOAL HAS BEEN DISALLOWED! Martinelli deemed to be offside in the build-up to the goal. That is so harsh for Arsenal.