Arsenal vs Fulham: Player Ratings and Viera’s Impact

Fabio Vieira had a standout performance and deservedly gets the highest points as Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium.

The game took an interesting turn when Vieira was substituted in for Kai Havertz, who was struggling throughout. Arsenal was trailing 1-0 at that point and seemed uncertain of a positive outcome.

Vieira, from Portugal, not only won the penalty that led to Bukayo Saka’s goal but also provided a crucial assist for Eddie Nketiah’s strike. Unfortunately, Paulinha’s 87th-minute equalizer resulted in a shared outcome.

Here’s a comprehensive analysis of each player’s performance in the third game of the Arsenal vs Fulham clash:

Aaron Ramsdale: 4
Ramsdale faced a challenging match, and his role in Fulham’s first goal raised concerns. He could have better communicated with his defenders during Paulinha’s late equalizer.

Ben White: 6
Deployed in the central defense, White performed his duties capably. He notably supported the right flank alongside Bukayo Saka.

Thomas Partey: 5
The curious decision to deploy Partey as a right-back with midfield inversion seemed suboptimal. It hindered his potential impact, partly to accommodate Kai Havertz’s integration.

Jakub Kiwior: 5
Playing out of position as a left-back, Kiwior held his ground defensively but lacked attacking contributions.

William Saliba: 5
Saliba’s performance fell short of his usual standards, mirroring the overall challenges of Arsenal’s defense. An incident involving Adama Traore went unnoticed.

Declan Rice: 6
Rice displayed dedication and contributed to the team’s midfield stability.

Declan Rice’s game by numbers vs. Fulham:

96% pass accuracy
79 touches
67 passes completed
24 final third passes
5 tackles won
5/6 ground duels won
4/5 long balls completed
1 clearance
1 interception

Dictating. 🍚 pic.twitter.com/0E0tdOIfsD

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 26, 2023

Martin Odegaard: 6
Odegaard’s performance showed flashes of brilliance but also instances of wastefulness.

Kai Havertz: 2
Havertz continues to struggle in his role, facing challenges in adapting to Arsenal’s dynamics.

Bukayo Saka: 5
Saka’s early mistake resulted in Fulham’s early goal. However, he redeemed himself by converting a penalty.

Leandro Trossard: 4
Played out of position as a striker, Trossard faced difficulties due to his unfamiliar role.

Gabriel Martinelli: 4
Martinelli couldn’t capitalize on his opportunities, impacting his overall effectiveness.

Substitutes:

Fabio Vieira: 9
Vieira’s entry proved transformative. Substituting in for Havertz, he swiftly won a penalty and provided a pivotal assist, altering the game’s momentum.

Eddie Nketiah: 8
Nketiah’s immediate impact injected fresh energy, and he capitalized with a crucial goal.

Zinchenko: 5
Jesus: N/A
Jorginho: N/A