When it comes to stopping Arsenal, Marco Silva is the man with all the answers. Fulham’s head coach is one of the Premier League’s most underrated tacticians and, for the third meeting with Arsenal in succession, he placed white-shirted obstacles all over the pitch to infuriate the title chasers from north London.

If Fulham did not exist, Arsenal would probably have been league champions last season. Mikel Arteta’s side finished two points behind Manchester City, having dropped five points against Fulham alone. This battling draw therefore means they have now taken just two points from the past nine available against Silva’s side.

Are Fulham the new bogey team for Arsenal? It increasingly seems that way, and at Craven Cottage you could sense that Fulham felt it, too. They are the only team Arsenal have not beaten in the league since the start of last season and, in the driving rain, they worked relentlessly to close down the spaces in which Arteta’s forwards usually thrive.

Not for the first time this season, Arsenal required a set-piece to find the net at all. For the second game in a row, centre-back William Saliba scored from close range, taking Arsenal’s tally of goals from corners to a ludicrous 23 since the start of last season. In open play, though, there was to be no way through.

“Great fighting spirit and commitment,” said Silva of his players. “We blocked them well.”

Fulham, who scored early through Raul Jiménez, held their shape and their nerve to damage Arsenal’s title hopes once again. At the same time, they further underlined their own top-seven credentials. European football is a dream for Fulham, but it is not an unrealistic one. They are just four points behind fourth-placed City.

To add further pain to Arsenal, they thought they had found a late winner. Bukayo Saka struck at the back post in what felt, for a few seconds, like a potentially seismic intervention in their campaign. But then the all-seeing eye of VAR peered into proceedings, spotting an offside offence by Gabriel Martinelli in the build-up, and three points became one.

“Emotionally, that was tough,” Arteta admitted. “I am gutted that we didn’t win it, because I think we deserved to win. [But] for millimetres we could have been sitting here with three points.”

It was fitting that Fulham’s final defensive act was for Antonee Robinson to wrestle the ball away from Saka. Few full-backs have performed so adeptly against the England winger as Robinson did here, with his aggression and energy preventing Saka from finding his rhythm.

“He is one of the best left-backs in the league,” said Silva of Robinson. “A top player, a great professional, a proper athlete. He is improving season by season, week by week.”

In total, Robinson regained possession seven times, a figure bettered only by the tireless Sander Berge in midfield. Up against his international team-mate, Martin Odegaard, Berge was perhaps the biggest reason for Arsenal’s failure to dominate the game as they usually would, in the first half at least.

Berge and Sasa Lukic, his fellow central midfield player, continually shuffled across to their left, where Odegaard and Saka so often cause havoc for opposition defences.

Opta analysis shows that 53 per cent of Arsenal’s attacks came down the right-hand side but, on this occasion, Odegaard and Saka struggled to create much with all that possession. “They know how to defend,” said Odegaard of Fulham. “We didn’t do enough today.”

By the end of the second half, Arsenal were totally on top. They had all of the ball and all of the chances but none of them could be converted, with Thomas Partey missing a simple header and Gabriel Jesus failing to react to a floated ball into the penalty box.

The gap between Arsenal and leaders Liverpool now stands at six points, but Arne Slot’s team have a game in hand. Almost as concerning as the points gap is that Arsenal, who were again without the injured Gabriel Magalhães, have not kept a clean sheet in any of their past six away games in the league.

Arsenal’s defence was breached here with Fulham’s first attack of the game, as Kenny Tete’s pass allowed Jiménez to run in behind. Jakub Kiwior, in for Gabriel, was unable to keep up and Jiménez produced a powerful, accurate finish beyond David Raya.

“Sometimes you have to praise the opposition,” said Arteta. “From that angle, to score with the only shot of the game for the striker, the way he put it away, he did it. Credit to them. Sometimes you have to recognise that.”

Arsenal could muster only half-chances until the 52nd minute, when Saliba converted their latest set-piece goal. The away fans had been singing “set-piece again, ole ole” in the first half and the players were soon at it again, with help from the swirling wind. Declan Rice’s delivery found Kai Havertz, whose downward header Saliba nudged home.

Partey’s miss was to follow, as was the strange hesitation from Jesus, before Saka scored from Martinelli’s cross towards the back post. Arsenal celebrated wildly, convinced that three points were theirs, before the offside lines were drawn in Stockley Park. On the balance of play it would have been a deserved victory but you could hardly begrudge Fulham, organised and energetic, their latest impressive result against Arteta’s side.

Merson: Martinelli’s offside a ‘criminal’ error

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson said Gabriel Martinelli made a “criminal” error by straying offside in the build-up to Bukayo Saka’s disallowed goal at Fulham on Sunday.

Martinelli crossed for Saka to score in the 89th minute at Craven Cottage but the goal was ruled out because the Brazilian was offside before receiving the ball on the left touchline.

“In footballing terms it’s criminal. I cannot tell you how criminal it is for Martinelli to be offside there,” said Merson, speaking as a Sky Sports pundit.

“You can’t be offside. You’re looking along the line. He’s got pace, he’s electric, he’s not someone who has to nick a yard — he can give someone the edge.

“I’d be surprised if he isn’t on the end of one on the dressing room from the manager, honestly. You can see it on his face, he knew. You look down the line, do not be offside. It’s as simple as that.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it was “emotionally tough” to deal with the goal being ruled out after his team thought they had claimed all three points.

“That, emotionally, was tough because we were so happy and we really dug in to take it, and it was taken away,” said Arteta.

“We are gutted that we didn’t win it, because I think we deserved to win from the beginning to the end. We did almost everything that we had to do to win it.

“[But] for millimetres we could have been sitting here with three points after a really strong and dominant performance against a really good team. You cannot cry about it, and that’s the beauty of this league, too.

“We cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We have to stand up for ourselves, and now we have to continue to improve and look at what we can do better so that the opposition have zero chances to win the game. That’s the objective.”

04:13 PM GMT

‘Criminal from Martinelli’ says Merson

04:12 PM GMT

Odegaard reacts

04:12 PM GMT

FT: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

That is, in no uncertain terms, a kick in the teeth for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Just when they thought they had snatched victory thanks to Bukayo Saka’s header, they just as quickly had that snatched away from them. The reality of the situation will no doubt dawn on them after the game. That two extra points was crucial. Arteta’s men dominated the second half and had their chances, and ultimately deserved to win the game but football can be cruel.

Fulham will no doubt be happy with the point despite going ahead early in the first half. Now its over to to North London where Chelsea have the chance to go two points clear of Arsenal with a win over Ange Postecoglou’s unpredictable Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

03:56 PM GMT

90+6 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Rice loses it to Berge and drags him down. He goes into the book. Fulham take the free and the ref blows up. Point dropped for Arsenal and point gained it would seem in the end for Fulham.

03:55 PM GMT

90+4 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Martinelli launches the ball at Wilson from the throw. The Fulham players protest but the ref is having none of it. Down the left once more Martinelli clips one in but it goes over everyone’s head. Partey keeps it in, plays it to Saka whose cross is gathered easily by Leno.

03:52 PM GMT

90+2 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Tete has struggled against Martinelli and here again he fouls him just on the edge of the area. Rice wastes it though. Looks likehe was going for top bins. He knows better than anyone that had to be into the area.

03:50 PM GMT

90 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Fulham sub: Cuenca for Lukic

03:49 PM GMT

VAR! 89 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Merino to Timber who slips it out to Martinelli. The Brazilian puts in a lovely cross. It finds Saka who heads in at the back post. After a lengthy VAR check it is chalked off. A sickener from an Arsenal perspective.

03:44 PM GMT

83 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Arsenal desperately pushing for the winner. Martinelli with some trickery down the left, whips it in but Leno claims the cross. Robinson barrels into the back of Saka, giving away a silly free. Rice swings in another one but there’s just a little too much on it.

03:41 PM GMT

80 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Merino pulls down Pereira and is lucky not to see a yellow. The hosts lose possession again though. They’ve struggled to get going in this half. Martinelli is closed down near the touchline, the ball goes out and Fulham get the throw-in to the dismay of Martinelli who slams the ball into the ground and receives a yellow for his petulance.

03:37 PM GMT

78 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Fulham subs: Muniz for Jimenez.

Arsenal subs: Nwaneri for Odegaard.

03:36 PM GMT

75 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Gabriel Jesus had a real opportunity there to put Arsenal ahead. He kept himself onside and just had to hit it first-time but he hesitated and it bounced into the grateful hands of Bernd Leno.

03:35 PM GMT

75 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

It’s probably worth noting that the wind is definitely blowing towards Fulham’s goal in this second half. No wonder those inswingers from Rice are causing so many problems this half.

03:34 PM GMT

74 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Arsenal and corners. It’s getting silly now. That’s their 23rd goal from corners since the start of last season. And Saliba has scored two goals from a combined distance of three yards in his last two matches.

03:32 PM GMT

73 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Arsenal subs: Jesus for Havertz. Merino for Jorginho

03:31 PM GMT

70 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Martinelli tries to find Havertz at the back post with a cross from the edge of the area but its dealt with. Pereira is set free down the left as Fulham try to counter. He opens it up onto his left and goes for the near post but Raya saves with his legs. Havertz is fouled by Bassey. He picks up a yellow.

03:28 PM GMT

68 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Corner for Arsenal again. Their seventh of the afternoon. Rice picks out Partey who is completely free. He has got to score but he misses! What a chance that is. Partey can’t believe it and neither can the Arsenal contingent.

03:27 PM GMT

66 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

A great cross-field switch from Jimenez nearly finds Iwobi but Partey get a toe to it. The Ghanaian fouls Iwobi though when his back is away from goal, inexplicable really. Fulham chuck it into the area from the dead ball but Arsenal clear.

03:23 PM GMT

63 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Jorginho pulled down in the middle of the park. Fulham looking a little leggy. Timber tries to slip in Martinelli but it’s heavy. That’s an error especially for a player of his quality.

03:21 PM GMT

60 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Havertz tries to wrap his foot around it in the box and place it into the bottom right corner but it dribbles wide. Arsenal look dangerous again.

03:19 PM GMT

59 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Arsenal sub: Martinelli on for Trossard.

Fulham subs: Smith-Rowe also subbed for Andreas Pereira. Harry Wilson on for Traore.

03:17 PM GMT

57 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

Odegaard curls in another set-piece from 40 yards. It meets the head of Rice but goes wide. He screams for a corner but the linesman disagrees.

03:16 PM GMT

55 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

It’s all Arsenal now. They’ve rediscovered their mojo here at the Cottage. They’re on another attack. Timber plays in Trossard who turns inside Tete but his effort is a weak one and Leno claims.

03:13 PM GMT

GOAL! 52 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 1

And they’ve done it again from a corner! Rice delivers, Havertz meets it and Saliba taps in. Two goals in two for Arsenal’s French centre-half. There’s a check for offside but Robinson’s foot is playing Saliba onside.

03:10 PM GMT

50 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Arsenal with a free of their own. It’s an incredible ball by Rice right into the danger area with no Gunner there to get a limb on it.

03:09 PM GMT

49 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Robinson goes beyond Partey and fizzes one across the box but Raya claims. a long ball to finds Havertz who does battle with Bassey. Both players go down but Fulham get the free out of it.

03:07 PM GMT

47 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

We’re heard this one a few times today: Saka down the right side again. This time he’s stopped in his tracks by Robinson and Fulham clear. Partey fouls Jimenez. The Mexican goes down dramatically but it is a free.

03:05 PM GMT

45 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

And we’re back. 45 minutes for Arsenal to fix things here and potentially trim the gap at the top to four points. No changes from either side.

03:04 PM GMT

Around the grounds

Leicester 0 Brighton 1 (Lamptey 37)

Ipswich 1 (Chaplin 21) Bournemouth 0

03:01 PM GMT

Worrying stat for Arteta

02:54 PM GMT

HT: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Arsenal are playing relatively well here… until they reach the final third. Fulham are doing such a good job of restricting the space between the lines, particularly on Saka and Odegaard’s side of the pitch where Lukic and Berge are working relentlessly. Fulham have not created much but they were deadly with the one chance they had. Odegaard is limping a bit after another heavy knock to the ankle. The half-time break has come at a good time for him.

02:53 PM GMT

HT: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

As expected the visitors had most of the ball but bar the clear set-piece taking threat Arsenal haven’t created a whole lot from play. Fulham scored an early goal completely against the run of play then did nothing for 25 minutes but they have grown into the game. The battle between Saka and Robinson has been interesting to watch.

02:49 PM GMT

45+1 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

From the long-range Fulham free, the ball finds Diop in the area who tries the spectacular from a near impossible angle. Its misses by a long shot, In fact its probably in the Putney River. That’s half-time.

02:47 PM GMT

44 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Fulham starting to pose more of an attacking threat towards the end of the half. Odegaard breaks away but is tackled by Berge and goes down awkwardly. It looked nasty initially. A heart in mouth moment for Arsenal fans everywhere but he gets to his feet.

02:45 PM GMT

41 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Fulham with numbers forward now. They string some nice passes together as they approach Arsenal’s box with Jimenez’s effort at a first-time pass to Traore is poor and Arsenal are happy to tidy up.

02:42 PM GMT

38 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

What a ball by Odegaard. It’s milimetres away from the foot of Declan Rice. Had he connected with that it would surely have gone in.

02:40 PM GMT

35 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Iwobi is off down the right plays the ball across the box to nobody and Rice clears easily. Down the other end Saka takes advantage of Robinson being out of position. He beats a couple of men in true Saka fashion then unleashes with his weaker right foot but Leno gets down low and parries. The corner is cleared.

02:37 PM GMT

34 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Arsenal’s right-sided bias has been even more extreme than usual so far today. After 30 minutes of action, 62% of their attacks have come down the right side. That’s compared to 19% on the left.

02:35 PM GMT

33 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Fulham finally playing some football in the Arsenal half. Smith-Rowe looks to be clean through and onside but his touch is poor and takes him away from the goal.

02:34 PM GMT

31 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Alex Iwobi has been an attacking threat for Fulham this season but the former Arsenal man is putting in a good defensive shift for Fulham today. The mark of a true team player.

02:32 PM GMT

29 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Fulham had a rare attacking opportunity just now but the attempt at a long ball by Traore to Jimenez didn’t come off at all.

02:29 PM GMT

28 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Saka against Robinson on Fulham’s left flank is a good battle. Saka’s worked a yard a few times but Robinson is so quick and strong that he’s making life very difficult for the England winger.

02:28 PM GMT

26 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Fulham are ahead and have defended well but they haven’t had any real control in this game. They need a spell of possession to halt the Arsenal momentum.

02:27 PM GMT

24 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Trossard beats Iwobi with the Cruyff turn and puts in a cross to Saka but the winger is put off by Diop who nearly gets his head on it and his attempt goes awry.

02:26 PM GMT

22 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Already losing count of how many crosses Saka has put in. Fulham dealing with them so far but they’ll need to be more disciplined if they know what’s good for them. Rice is played through, goes for it first-time from a bouncing ball on the edge of the box but he drags it wide.

02:23 PM GMT

18 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Gunners play some tiki taka around the area. Diop makes a crunching challenge on Havertz. Arsenal win it back and go again. Saka’s first time cross isn’t met by anyone. Another corner though. Saka delivers another dangerous one. Fizzed in and cleared by Leno. You’d fancy the visitors to score one of these today.

02:19 PM GMT

16 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Saka turns Robinson inside out and whips in a dangerous ball that is cleared in time by Issa Diop.

02:17 PM GMT

14 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Partey’s pass is intercepted, Fulham look to do more damage but Partey makes up for his mistake with a good recovery tackle. From a throw in near the corner flag Odegaard tries to round Antonee Robinson but the American knicks the ball from his feet and sets off Traore down the wing but there’s too much on the pass.

02:14 PM GMT

12 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Straight from the restart Arsenal win a free 35 yards out. Leno clears the flaoter from Odegaard. Rice hits it first time on the half-volley but it flies way over.

02:13 PM GMT

GOAL! 10 mins: Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Fulham haven’t made it out of their own half until now and the first time they do so they hit the back of the net. Tete plays a lovely through ball to Raul Jimenez down the right who still has it all to do from a tight angle but strikes it beautifully into the bottom left corner, fizzing it past David Raya. 1-0 Fulham!

That wasn’t a part of the Arsenal plan.

02:10 PM GMT

8 mins: Fulham 0 Arsenal 0

Saka delivers but its met at the near post byu Sander Berge. Traore uses his strength at the back post to just muscle Saliba over the end line. That’s one way to do it I suppose.

02:09 PM GMT

7 mins: Fulham 0 Arsenal 0

Odegaard plays a neat floating ball down the right to Kai Havertz but the German is caught offside. Arsenal playing around with the ball nicely here. It’s all very much being played in tight spaces as Fulham stick to their men. Cross comes in, Bassey intercepts. Corner Arsenal.

02:05 PM GMT

3 mins: Fulham 0 Arsenal 0

That’s half a chance there. Rice crosses, Saliba meets it and glances it wide. First chance of the game. Arsenal starting like they mean business at Craven Cottage.

02:04 PM GMT

2 mins: Fulham 0 Arsenal 0

Jimenez claims he was pushed by Saliba as Fulham attempt to counter attack. Ref says no. Arsenal go again up the other end. Saka swings a ball in which Rice nearly gets on the end of but its cleared for a corner. Uh oh. Danger for Fulham.

02:02 PM GMT

1 min: Fulham 0 Arsenal 0

The visitors go for a long ball straight from the kick off but its overcooked and Bassey lets it run out for a goal kick.

01:59 PM GMT

Kick-off approaching

Nearly underway at Craven Cottage...

01:49 PM GMT

Iwobi on facing his former side

01:40 PM GMT

Fulham off to the races

This is Fulham’s best ever start to a Premier League season with 22 points from 14 games. It includes six wins, four draws and four losses. A win today against Arsenal could put them 5th in the table, only two points behind Pep Guardiola’s struggling Manchester City.

01:32 PM GMT

Arsenal’s defensive injury woes

It is rather unfortunate for Arsenal that all of their current injury absentees are defenders. They are especially short in the full-back position, with Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori all out today.

The result is that Thomas Partey will be starting at right-back, with Jurrien Timber moving to the left side. Kieran Tierney and Myles Lewis-Skelly are the left-back options on the bench.

01:29 PM GMT

Marco Silva speaks

On facing Arsenal: “They are always prepared but I believe it is normal. Some things they are different but sometimes in your mind you have an idea and that is normal. Last season’s results give us trust that we can try and do the same again. We have a plan and something we are going to try and explore, knowing you are playing one of the best teams in the division.

“We know their strengths. We know the parts they are not so strong as well. Last season and this season we dealt with the set-pieces well and we were really focused in those moments. Let’s hope we can do the same. It is part of the game. You have to be a proper team and team that is able to respond to everything they will demand from us. Let’s see who is going to be strongest.”

On the fixture schedule: “It is part of the management we have to do. We knew it was going to be like that. Unfortunately for us, we don’t have some players. It is not easy to do it and we have been able to have those players ready to go. Today is going to be the same. We have some fresh players in the side which is important. Let’s hope we can give good answer and give as a collective a good performance.”

01:27 PM GMT

Arsenal from corners

01:25 PM GMT

Arteta on the weather affecting Arsenal’s set-piece danger

01:16 PM GMT

Sam Dean is at the Cottage

There are more Arsenal academy graduates in the Fulham starting lineup than in Arsenal’s today, with Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe looking to damage the title prospects of the club where they started their footballing journeys.

Both Iwobi and Smith Rowe have been in exceptional form this season. For Smith Rowe, especially, this will be a strange and emotional occasion as he comes up against Arsenal for the first time.

It’s a grim day at Craven Cottage, with howling wind and driving rain. Clearly, these are not ideal conditions for slick passing football.

It might therefore be something of a battle for Arsenal, against a Fulham team packed with powerful athletes. The ongoing absence of the injured Gabriel Magalahes, Arsenal’s most aggressive defender, could be a major issue here.

01:15 PM GMT

Odegaard captains Arsenal for 100th time

When Arsenal signed Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid (initially on loan) in 2021, few except those within the club probably saw the Norwegian as a leader, something Arsenal were desperately lacking at the time. Three years on and there’s no doubts the 25-year-old is the man to lead his team out onto the field every week. He’ll do so today for the 100th time. With his composure and creativity, his importance to Arteta’s plans cannot be understated, evidenced by Arsenal’s poor run of form during his recent absence. Bukayo Saka may be Arsenal’s star boy, but Martin Odegaard is quickly becoming Mr. Arsenal.

01:04 PM GMT

Fulham Team

01:03 PM GMT

Arsenal Team

01:03 PM GMT

The rise of Fulham FC

Here’s some pre-game reading, about Fulham’s recruitment and how it has made them one of the best run clubs in the country

12:53 PM GMT

Fulham v Arsenal liveblog (KO 2pm)

Good afternoon all and welcome to the Telegraph’s liveblog of this London derby between Fulham and Arsenal. Title hopefuls Arsenal can narrow the gap at the top to four points with a win at Craven Cottage after the Merseyside Derby was postponed yesterday due to bad weather conditions.

The last time these two teams met Fulham came out on top when goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby Decordova-Reid helped the Cottagers to 2-1 win. In fact, the hosts are in fine form at the moment, having lost just one of their last six league games; winning thrice and drawing twice. They confidently brushed aside a high-flying Brighton side during the week, thanks to a brace from former Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi who will certainly be keen to impress against his old club today.

Another encouraging fact for Fulham; They are unbeaten in their last eight league London derbies (W4, D4), their longest run since going nine without defeat from February 2000 to September 2001.

As for the visitors. They are hot of a 2-0 win against Manchester United midweek. They’ve seemingly hit form again and just at the right time with Liverpool dropping points at Newcastle on Wednesday and having their latest opportunity to put three points on the board postponed.

Arsenal have scored in each of their past 18 Premier League encounters against Fulham, and they haven’t been short on the goals of late either. Interestingly, the Gunners need just four more goals to equal the Premier League record of 86 scored in a calendar year.

If Arsenal are to overcome the challenge of their hosts today you’d imagine it will be with the assistance of their danger man Bukayo Saka who has seven goals and seven assists across his last 14 London league derbies.