Eddie Nketiah scored a dramatic late equaliser as Arsenal rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham, who subsequently moved a step closer to relegation. (More Football News)
Scott Parker's side looked to be on course for a first ever win at Arsenal in any competition, but the Gunners spared their blushes – to a certain extent – deep into stoppage time.
Gabriel Martinelli was Arsenal's biggest threat throughout but saw presentable opportunities go begging, while a Dani Ceballos goal was disallowed for a marginal offside spotted by VAR in the first half.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play thanks to a Josh Maja penalty and Arsenal lost Alexandre Lacazette to injury soon after, but what would have ordinarily been a bitter blow seemingly led to the late equaliser, with the Frenchman's replacement clinching a point for Arsenal.
Advertisement
Fulham rode their luck early on, Martinelli just missing the target after latching on to Lacazette's pass before then forcing Alphonse Areola into a smart save from an Emile Smith Rowe cutback.
The Gunners were fortunate themselves at the other end in the 21st minute as Maja had a shot deflected just past the post.
VAR then spared Fulham just before half-time, spotting that Bukayo Saka was offside by a toe's length in the build-up to Ceballos nodding in a Hector Bellerin cross.
Arsenal remained in the ascendancy after the break and saw a miscued Saka cross hit the post, but just a few minutes later they were trailing.
Advertisement
Gabriel Magalhaes caught Mario Lemina in the penalty area and, despite a rather theatrical fall, a spot-kick was given. Maja duly slammed his attempt into the roof of the net.
Lacazette hobbled off in the 70th minute after pulling up with a suspected hamstring issue, and soon after a header from substitute Nicolas Pepe was cleared off the line by Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
Arsenal piled the pressure on towards the end and eventually levelled in the seventh minute of added time, Nketiah prodding home a rebound to leave Fulham looking doomed to a return to the Championship.
