So, there were groans all round when Arsenal went behind inside 5 minutes, after a sluggish start, and caught out by great pace in attack from Fulham. That pace didn't really let up all game - Fulham comprehensively out-ran Arsenal, and we were struggling to keep up. An overly fussy referee didn't help (continually stopping quick free-kicks being taken), booking several Arsenal players for seemingly innocuous fouls, but the fact is that we were some way off the pace throughout.After the second goal went in on 18 minutes, leaving us 2-0 down at Fulham of all places, many in the crowd turned on Alexandre Song - who was quite clearly well out of his depth. Singing "We Want Cesc Fabregas" (why Wenger didn't play him from the start, especially when Song is nowhere near good enough as a replacement, I have no idea) - that wasn't too bad; but some of our fans then started to boo Song - utterly unacceptable, and yet another sign that too many Arsenal fans have no idea.
A goal pulled back before half time, set up a thrilling (for a neutral) second half. Fulham could have scored from at least 3 fantastic chances. Arsenal had Senderos sent off with 25 minutes to go, and Fulham clattered the crossbar from the resulting free kick. Henry had a goal ruled out for offside, when it was marginal at best. Arsenal peppered the Fulham goal, but in truth were giving the ball away far too cheaply, and were beaten to every loose ball by a Fulham team that deserved the victory.
This means 3 away defeats in a row, with vital games against Spurs, Porto and Chelsea coming up. We have always struggled in November, so the fact that it is now over is some relief at least. But, 16 points behind the League leaders means that out title challenge is well and truly over, and the questions of "where do we go from here" are very relevant.
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