Arsenal wastes lead, draws with Fulham

By ROB HARRIS

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 11:29 a.m. ET Nov. 10, 2012

LONDON (AP) -Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead for the second time this week, with a 3-3 draw against Fulham prolonging the team's worst English Premier League start under Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners appeared to be cruising on Saturday when Olivier Giroud headed them in front and Lukas Podolski fired in another in the 23rd minute.

But just like in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Schalke in the Champions League, Arsenal's advantage evaporated. In the space of 11 minutes, both Dimitar Berbatov and Alex Kacaniklic were left to score with free headers for Fulham.

Arsenal's troubles deepened in the second half when Dimitar Berbatov put Fulham ahead from the penalty spot.

Giroud equalized for Arsenal with his second headed goal and the hosts could have won the match in stoppage time but Mikel Arteta's penalty was saved.

After 11 matches, Arsenal has just 16 points in seventh place and is ahead of Fulham only on goal difference. That's even worse than this time last season when Arsenal had collected 19 points, the previous worst start since Wenger arrived in 1996.

While the climax at Emirates Stadium was thrilling, the first half was played at a slow pace - despite delivering four goals.

After scoring in the midweek Champions League draw at Schalke, Walcott was rewarded with just his second league start of the season.

And Walcott set up the opener, accurately pinging in the corner that Giroud met after rising above Aaron Hughes. Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer got a touch to Giroud's header but was unable to keep it out in the 11th.

There was a double setback for Fulham when Kieran Richardson was forced off with hamstring trouble and Kacaniklic was still to come on when Arsenal went further ahead in the 23rd.

Fulham was unpicked down the right before Arteta cut the ball back past Chris Baird to Podolski six yards from goal and the Germany forward swept the ball into the net.

Arsenal's two-goal cushion didn't reflect the possession Fulham had enjoyed and the visitors made amends in the 29th.

Bryan Ruiz floated in a corner that Berbatov rose unmarked to meet and he sent the downward header with ease over the line. Vito Mannone and Arteta watched helplessly as the ball went between them.

Arsenal didn't tighten up at the back in response with Berbatov then beating Podolski on the right and finding the space to cross into the penalty area where Kacaniklic darted in to head Fulham level.

Apart from the goals, the first half offered little to excite, with Arsenal booed off at halftime.

At the start of the second half, Arsenal missed the chance to regain its lead when Giroud couldn't rise high enough to meet Walcott's cross.

But just as Arsenal seemed to be taking control, Arteta tangled with Ruiz and referee Phil Dowd awarded a penalty kick.

Berbatov coolly slotted into the bottom left from the spot in the 67th, with Mannone remaining almost static as Fulham went in front for the first time.

But only for two minutes.

Giroud stormed into the penalty area from the left flank and struck against the far post. The rebound fell to Walcott and the winger picked out Giroud, who sent a glancing header into the net.

Giroud was then denied from 25 yards, with Schwarzer turning the shot around the post.

The frantic second half nearly had one final twist when Fulham defender Sascha Riether inadvertently handled, but Schwarzer dived the right way to block Arteta's spotkick.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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