Topics: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Fulham, English Premier League
The Gunners suffered a second consecutive defeat in the league, ending 2023 on a disappointing note.

Arsenal traveled to Fulham on Sunday in their final game of 2023 intending to return to winning ways following their draw at Anfield and disappointing 2-0 loss at home to West Ham.

However, the North London giants' slump continued, this time losing 2-1 at Craven Cottage after putting in a poor performance in West London. The Gunners took an early lead, with Bukayo Saka breaking the deadlock after only five minutes only for the visitors to let that slip.

Raul Jimenez pulled the hosts level just before the half-an-hour mark before Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored the winner in the 59th minute. As a result, Arteta's men missed the opportunity to go back to the top ahead of Liverpool's clash with Newcastle on Monday, with Saka and Co. currently sitting in fourth.

Additionally, Arsenal set a handful of unwanted milestones with this result, which comes as little surprise, as they have now won only once in their last six matches across all competitions.

This result brought an end to the club's long-running run of avoiding defeats when scoring first. The Gunners had not lost a Premier League game after breaking the deadlock in nearly two years, a streak that stretched a whopping 48 matches all the way back to their controversial 2-1 loss at home to Man City in 2022.

Additionally, this is the first time the club have lost back-to-back Premier League games since May when their 2022-23 title race officially came to an end. This is also the first time the North London giants have lost to Fulham since January 2012.

With that result, Arsenal are now level on points with Manchester City but behind on goal difference. However, while the Gunners have played 19 matches, the Cityzens have played 18, meaning Pep's side have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, current leaders Liverpool can go five points ahead with a win over Newcastle on Monday while North London rivals Tottenham are only a point behind despite going through a rough injury crisis.