The 10-man Fulham team struck early and late on Saturday to snag a 2-2 draw at the Emirates, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta chastised his team for failing to finish off the visitors.
Andreas Pereira gave Fulham the lead in the opening minute by capitalising on a sloppily delivered pass from Bukayo Saka.
The game looked to change as a result of Arteta’s substitutions as Fabio Vieira won a penalty that Saka scored to tie the score before setting up Eddie Nketiah to score Arsenal’s 2-1 lead.
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Calvin Bassey was subsequently sent off for a second time, but Fulham still managed to respond when Joao Palhinha scored from a corner in the 87th minute by taking advantage of further shoddy defending.
“We have to show another level of commitment and desire. With 10 men, you cannot concede a goal,” said an irritable Arteta.
“Right from the beginning, we gave an incredible goal away. You make life really difficult for yourself, but the team reacted really well.
“We dominated the game and created countless chances and should have scored five, six, seven goals easily.
“And, when you have done the most difficult thing which is to get back ahead against a team that is well organised, you have to defend your box from one corner.
“It is the only chance they have and you get punished.”
After nearly losing out to treble winners Manchester City last season, Arsenal is trying to win the Premier League for the first time in 20 years.
After acquiring Declan Rice and Kai Havertz for this season, the Gunners seem to have more depth.
It became clear when Vieira, Nketiah, and Oleksandr Zinchenko all made significant contributions as substitutes after coming back from injuries.
“All three substitutes changed the game. Fabio was involved in everything we created and I am really happy with that,” added Arteta.
“The same with Eddie. It is my fault that Fabio has not played more and today he gave me reasons to play him more.”
Arsenal’s first missed opportunity of the year cost them the top spot in the Premier League, which went to rivals from north London, Tottenham, based on goal differential.
Both teams have seven points after three games, but City, who is playing at Sheffield United on Sunday, might overtake them.