BREAKING NEWS: “I don’t want to sound unprofessional, but I’m fed up with him at this stage. He’s not contributing anything meaningful to the team, and I can’t understand why he’s always included in our lineup,” Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard reportedly expressed frustration with a teammate following the draw against Fulham.

Martin Ødegaard expressed disappointment over Arsenal’s lack of attacking intensity following their 1-1 draw with Fulham in Sunday’s Premier League match, a result that further hampered their title chase.

The Gunners dropped two crucial points, leaving them third in the standings, six points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand. The draw at Craven Cottage added to Arsenal’s inconsistent form, having lost 12 points in their last eight league matches.

Despite dominating possession, Arsenal struggled to penetrate Fulham’s organized defense. Fulham struck first through Raúl Jiménez, capitalizing on a rare opportunity.

Arsenal equalized early in the second half when William Saliba scored from close range after a Kai Havertz header during a well-executed corner routine. It was Arsenal’s ninth set-piece goal this season, highlighting their proficiency in dead-ball situations.

However, Arsenal’s attacking momentum waned afterward. Bukayo Saka thought he had secured a late winner with a header, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside. Ødegaard admitted that failing to convert their dominance into goals was frustrating.

“We controlled the game entirely,” the Arsenal captain remarked. “Apart from their goal, they didn’t create much. We had significant moments, especially the disallowed goal, but we must be more aggressive when attacking the box. We created some big chances but should have won the game. It’s disappointing.”

Ødegaard commended the team’s set-piece effectiveness but emphasized improving open-play creativity. “We’re strong in set pieces, and everyone believes we can score from them,” he said. “That’s a positive, but we need to be sharper in other aspects of our game.”

Looking ahead, Arsenal faces a crucial stretch of fixtures, including home games against Everton, Crystal Palace, and Ipswich. With the title race tightening, Ødegaard urged his teammates to remain focused and determined.

“The mood is down now, but we must quickly shift our attention to the next game,” he stressed. “There’s no time to dwell on this; we have to ensure we win the next match.”