Arsenal drop from first to fourth in eight miserable days as stats show Fulham defeat is more than a blip
Arsenal missed the opportunity to finish 2023 top of the Premier League, losing 2-1 away at Fulham.
More concerning than that, though, is the Gunners' form, with the defeat leaving them with just one win in six.
And after topping the tree on Christmas Day, the Gunners go into 2024 in fourth place.
Mikel Arteta's men looked well on their way to a straightforward victory in west London, with Bukayo Saka tapping in the rebound from a Gabriel Martinelli strike.
However, that was pretty much as good as it got, with Fulham hugely impressive after the early wake-up call.
Raul Jimenez equalised with ease just before the half-hour mark, tapping-in a Tom Cairney far post cross with Jakub Kiwior failing to detect his run.
Things didn't get any better in the second half either, with Fulham again taking the initiative before Bobby De Cordova-Reid sealed a 59th minute matchwinner.
Arteta called the troops on with Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard, but it made no difference, with Arsenal needing a David Raya wonder-save and the crossbar to stay in the game.
Seeing out the victory, Fulham made it back-to-back losses for the Gunners, their first in the Premier League since May when their 2022/23 title challenge collapsed.
There may well be fears of a repeat, with not just the results dropping off a cliff to give Arsenal one win in six, but the performances too.
Summing up the mood inside the Cottage, talkSPORT correspondent Alex Crook said: «I'm not sure anyone predicted this. Raul Jimenez drops to his knees, Mikel Arteta absolutely sodden on a torrential afternoon.
»What does this do for Arsenal's title hopes? They could have gone top but instead they're looking up at Liverpool and Aston Villa.
«Is this the start of a mid-season collapse that
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