Late Hleb Goal Lets Under-Par Arsenal Off The Hook

Arsenal kicked-off their Premiership campaign against a new-look Fulham team today. With Spurs misfiring against new boys Sunderland, the Gunners stole a march on their north London rivals today by winning against the Cottagers. They left it late, grabbing two goals in ten minutes to get the three points......

There was no place for new signing Eduardo in the starting line-up, failing a late fitness test after picking up an ankle injury in training. Adebayor was also omitted from the squad after failing to recover from a groin injury.

Robin van Persie started as the lone striker for the Gunners and was tasked with getting the goals. Hleb would play a supporting role but throughout the first half he showed a frustrating lack of an end product after wasting two excellent chances to get the scores level.

Anti Niemi suffered an injury in the pre-match warm-up and was replaced by Tony Warner, who did his first-team chances no harm, pulling of a string of saves throughout the match to deny Arsenal definite scoring chances.

Arsenal’s hopes of getting off to a winning start were dashed after just 50 seconds. The visitors took the lead after just 50 seconds, much to the surprise of everyone, including Jens Lehmann. The German keeper slipped in the area, gifting a chance for David Healy to get his first goal in Fulham colours and the Northern Ireland international didn’t disappoint.

Fulham held a tight line at the back and forced a few mistakes from Arsenal throughout the match. They were criticised last season for trying to pass the ball into the net, and again today, the Gunners were in search of the perfect goal.

But with ten minutes to go the game was turned on its head, Kolo Toure surging forward and being felled by Carlos Bocanegra, prompting referee Phil Dowd to point to the spot. Robin van Persie then smashed the penalty into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.

Arsenal looked for the winner and got it through Aliaksandr Hleb, netting from 12 yards after being slotted through by Cesc Fabregas.