Fulham handed Arsenal a second consecutive defeat after they fought back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 win on Sunday.
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Bukayo Saka's early goal was cancelled out by Raúl Jiménez before Bobby De Cordova-Reid's second-half strike ended the hosts' three-match losing streak.
Fulham rose to 13th in the table with 24 points after 20 matches. Arsenal, who were top of the table on Christmas Day, have ended the calendar year fourth after going winless in their past three matches.
The visitors started the match on the front foot and found the breakthrough just five minutes in as Gabriel Martinelli ran into the box from the left and went for the finish.
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno's diving parry denied Martinelli, but the ball went to Saka, who finished from close range.
The hosts were unshaken by the early setback and continued to build pressure, which paid off near the half-hour mark as Tom Cairney's cross from the left flank was met by Jimenez for a swift finish, restoring parity.
Marco Silva's side maintained the momentum into the second half and took the lead near the hour mark, when Andreas Pereira's corner created a scramble in the Arsenal box before De Cordova-Reid fired it into the net.
The result marked the first time Fulham won a game after going a goal down in 24 league matches.
Team news
Fulham: Fulham welcomed back Raul Jimenez from his three-game suspension, with the striker going straight back into the XI as they looked to end a run of three Premier League games without a goal. Willian, another key attacker, was also back from injury. Rodrigo Muniz and Andreas Pereira made way, while Timothy Castagne came in for Kenny Tete at right-back.
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta made three changes to the Arsenal side that lost 2-0 to West Ham at the Emirates on Thursday. Oleksandr Zinchenko dropped out of the squad with a calf issue and he was replaced by Jakub Kiwior at left-back. In midfield, Kai Havertz returned after suspension and came into the starting XI in place of Leandro Trossard. Also, Eddie Nketiah started in attack for the Gunners, replacing Gabriel Jesus, who dropped to the bench. Finally, there was a return from injury for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is named on the bench.
Player ratings
Fulham: Leno (7), Castagne (7), Tosin (7), Bassey (8), Robinson (7), Palhinha (8), Cairney (8), De Cordova-Reid (7), Iwobi (8), Willian (6), Jimenez (8).
Subs: Pereira (6), Wilson (n/a), Diop (n/a), Reed (n/a).
Arsenal: Raya (6), White (5), Saliba (6), Gabriel (6), Kiwior (5), Rice (6), Havertz (6), Odegaard (6), Saka (6), Martinelli (6), Nketiah (5).
Subs: Tomiyasu (6), Trossard (6), Jesus (6), Nelson (n/a).
Player of the match: Tom Cairney.
Opta stats:
Fulham end 11-game winless run against Arsenal
This was the first time that Arsenal lost a Premier League game in which they scored the game's opening goal since New Year's Day 2022 against Manchester City (Saka put them 1-0 up both then and against Fulham). It ended the Gunners' run of 48 league games unbeaten when going 1-0 ahead (W42 D6).
Having only lost two of their opening 18 Premier League games this season (W12 D4), Arsenal have since lost both of their last two, just the second time since the start of last season that the Gunners have suffered back-to-back league defeats (also in May).
Fulham won a Premier League game in which they had fallen behind at any stage for the first time since October 2022 against Leeds, ending their 26-game winless run when falling behind in the league (D4 L22).
The home side ended their 11-game winless run against Arsenal in the Premier League (D3 L8), with this their first league win over the Gunners since January 2012 (2-1).
What's next?
Fulham welcome Rotherham to Craven Cottage in the FA Cup third round on Friday January 6; kick-off 7.30pm.
Arsenal host Liverpool in the FA Cup third round on Sunday January 7; kick-off 4.30pm.
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