BBC Sport
Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
| Help

---------------
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Sunday, 30 November, 2003, 15:53 GMT
Van der Sar frustrates Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Fulham

Robert Pires (right) gave Moritz Volz (left) a torrid time

Arsenal failed to score at home for the first time in 47 games and lost top spot in the Premiership as Fulham claimed an unlikely point at Highbury.

The Gunners wasted numerous chances while Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar produced a string of excellent saves to thwart Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires.

But despite Van der Sar's heroics Arsenal should have sealed three points by half-time in possibly the most one-sided game this season.

The home team produced 12 shots on target, Fulham did not manage any but somehow scraped a draw.

Pires and Henry ensured a torturous afternoon for Fulham right-back Moritz Volz, who is on loan from Arsenal, and former Gunners midfielder Junichio Inamoto.

And Fulham's lone striker Louis Saha cut a forlorn figure as he manfully tried to feed on the few scraps that came his way.

Arsenal's first opening fell to Kolo Toure, who failed to keep his short-range header on target after reacting to Pascal Cygan's near-post flick-on.

Ljungberg then forced a save from Van der Sar with a long-range shot after Saha carelessly squandered possession.

Van der Sar thwarted Ljungberg again after 16 minutes, smothering the midfielder's shot after a sublime threaded pass from Bergkamp put him clear.

Pires should have rewarded Arsenal's dominance with a goal after 28 minutes.

But the mercurial forward still seemed to be struggling after a challenge from Saha minutes earlier and pulled his shot wide after a neat lay back from Henry.

KEY MOMENTS
16 mins: Van der Sar makes the first of seven first-half saves to deny Ljungberg
47 mins: Van der Sar thwarts Bergkamp
65 mins: Malbranque heads wide
Moments later Pires turned provider, but Henry's precise shot was palmed to safety by Van der Sar.

The Dutch goalkeeper was called into action again before the break, saving twice from Henry and once from Bergkamp and Ljungberg as Arsenal did everything except score.

Arsenal continued to open up the Fulham defence at will in the second-half, Van der Sar making another excellent save to Bergkamp after 47 minutes.

Another superb pass, this time from Ashley Cole, exposed the Fulham backline again, with Van der Sar denying Bergkamp then Ljungberg.

Steed Malbranque should have punished Arsenal's profligacy, but headed wide Sean Davis' cross with easily his team's best chance of the match.

Bergkamp drilled wide after 70 minutes, Henry likewise minutes later.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger introduced Kanu and Jeremie Aliadiere but his team's frustration mounted as Fulham's valiant rearguard held out for a point.


Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure, Campbell, Cygan, Cole, Ljungberg (Aliadiere 79), Silva (Kanu 67), Edu, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Clichy, Stack, Hoyte.

Booked: Edu.

Fulham: Van der Sar, Volz, Knight, Melville, Bonnissel, Malbranque, Clark, Legwinski, Inamoto, Sean Davis, Saha (Hayles 76).
Subs Not Used: Sava, Crossley, Djetou, Goma.

Booked: Legwinski.

Attendance: 38,063

Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).




WATCH AND LISTEN
Fulham boss Chris Coleman
"It was a great show of team commitment"


Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
"Players do not miss chances because they want to"




E-mail services | Sport on mobiles/PDAs

MMIX

Back to top

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability sport | Olympics 2012 | Sport Relief | Other sport...

BBC Sport Academy >> | BBC News >> | BBC Weather >>
About the BBC | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Contact us
bannerwatch listenbbc sport