Wenger left relieved as Arsenal end losing streak

Fulham 0 Arsenal 1

The cobwebs were dusted down on one of the game's oldest clichés at Loftus Road yesterday as the phrase "lucky Arsenal", a soubriquet largely expunged during Arsène Wenger's tenure, made a rare return. It was not just that the champions' goal came from a comedy error by Steve Marlet. In addition, Sol Campbell survived three penalty appeals for fouls on Luis Boa Morte, the first of which appeared an absolute certainty.

That was after just six minutes and, had referee Jeff Winter given it, Arsenal could well have slipped to a fifth straight defeat. For much of an absorbing game their lack of confidence was manifest, as might be expected after nearly a month without so much as a point. Passes went astray and movement was cautious leaving team-mates unsupported when possession was retained. More often it was lost and, with Steed Malbranque and Sylvain Legwinski running the midfield, Fulham dominated the first half-hour.

They were not, however, rewarded and Winter was not the only one to blame. Steve Finnan was just as culpable having ghosted behind Ashley Cole and onto Malbranque's clever cross in the opening minute only to head over. Malbranque then released Boa Morte who cut inside Pascal Cygan and was shaping to shoot when Campbell clattered into him. It was a stone-cold penalty and could have led to a red card for Campbell but, incredibly, Winter waved play on.

This was to prove something of a recurring theme. Campbell is quick but Boa Morte's combination of fleet-footed pace and nimble-toed skill caused him constant problems. There were further appeals after 15 and 50 minutes, the latter another good shout.

Of course, the notoriously unsighted Wenger did not see any penalties. Jean Tigana, his Fulham counterpart, never comments on referees. It is an admirable stance, especially as he must have been sorely tempted this time. Similarly, he successfully discourages his players from protesting. One hopes it does not go against them with referees.

Fulham could have done with a penalty for, despite their possession, they otherwise struggled to create clear chances. That is not a problem Arsenal suffer from, even when reaching for form. From meagre possession Dennis Bergkamp and Sylvain Wiltord fashioned a couple of excellent chances each for Fredrik Ljungberg and Thierry Henry. Each missed one and were denied the other by fine saves from Edwin van der Sar.

Then Henry scuffed a corner and Marlet, on sentry duty at the front of the six-yard-box, took a lazy swing at the ball. It sliced off his right foot and flew past the startled Finnan on the near post and in. It was to prove a very expensive lapse in concentration.

Arsenal, without ever matching the heights of early autumn, looked more settled from then on and Ljungberg should have scored again before the break after a beautiful chipped pass by Wiltord.

Fulham, forced to switch Boa Morte to the left flank after Malbranque was injured, gradually lost penetration and finally resorted to aerial pressure. This, though, was one of David Seaman's good days. Even his timing was spot-on, tipping Legwinski's header just over seconds before Sven Goran Eriksson made his departure.

Victory enabled Arsenal to cut Liverpool's lead back to four points. "We were under big pressure today. It was a must-win game," said Wenger. It was a reference to Arsenal's form rather than Liverpool's lead. He added with some justification: "Seven points would have been a big gap but it would not have been over."

Although Fulham could do with a win or two they seem set for another season of mid-table comfort. All of which leaves supporters free to focus on other issues, like where they are going to play. Loftus Road is a neat ground but it is not their own and fans are beginning to fret about the prospects of ever returning to Craven Cottage.

Yesterday, supporters leafleted fans asking a series of questions concerning the delay over the rebuilding of Craven Cottage. Among the issues raised was why Fulham have bid for a site at White City with view to building a 38,000-capacity ground (planning permission for the Cottage only extends to 30,000) when they have only once filled QPR's modest 19,000-seat ground. The club's response is that White City is only a fall-back, local residents having managed to delay work at Craven Cottage with yet another appeal.

One official, exasperated with the criticism of Mohamed Al Fayed, said of the chairman: "He's put millions into the club. He wants the best and he knows the Cottage is essential to the spirit of the club."

As ever with these things, only time will tell. Al Fayed seems genuine but Fulham's ground has been under threat too often for anyone to be complacent.

Goal: Marlet og (30) 0-1.

Fulham (4-3-1-2): Van der Sar 8; Ouaddou 5, Goma 5, Melville 5, Brevett 7; Djétou 5 (Inamoto 4, 53); Finnan 5, Legwinski 7; Malbranque 6 (Hayles 4, 53); Marlet 5, Boa Morte 8. Substitutes not used: Taylor (gk), Clark, Knight.

Arsenal (4-4-1-1): Seaman 7; Lauren 5 (Luzhny 5, 65), Cygan 4, Campbell 4, Cole 4; Wiltord 7 (Touré, 83), Gilberto 5, Edu 3, Ljungberg 5; Bergkamp 7 (Kanu 5, 75); Henry 4. Substitutes not used: Pires, Shaaban (gk).

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees) 3.

Bookings: Fulham: Djétou. Arsenal: Cygan, Edu.

Man of the match: Boa Morte.

Attendance: 18,800.