UPDATED: 17:23 EST, 20 April 2013 They were people, lacked power and were slack. They didn't develop a opportunity in the next half against 10 men, until Aaron Ramsey mis-hit an attempt broad with time added on. In short, Arsenal were an effective way short of the typical expected of England's elite. And yet, at the conclusion, they hit the air, exchanged embraces and were serenaded by their supporters. High five: Per Mertesacker (left) celebrates rating the opening goal with Nacho Monreal Going home: Arsenal's Per Mertesacker slides into score Arsenal's purpose from a yard out Fulham (0) 0 Arsenal (1) 1 Fulham: Schwarzer, Manolev, Senderos, Hangeland, Richardson, Emanuelson (Frei 87), Sidwell, Enoh, Kacaniklic (Petric 85), Ruiz, Berbatov. Subs Not Used: Etheridge, Riise, Karagounis, Hughes, Rodallega. Sent Off: Sidwell (12). Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Rosicky (Podolski 71), Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott (Wilshere 71), Giroud, Cazorla (Vermaelen 90). Subs Maybe not Used: Mannone, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Gibbs. Sent Off: Giroud (90). Booked: Arteta, Ramsey. Goals: Mertesacker 43. Att: 25,700 Ref: Andre Marriner (T Midlands). Latest Premier League table and results Because of it is that phase of the growing season when factors mean anything and Arsenal had sneaked away from Craven Cottage with three. No matter that they'd spent the past quarter-hour of this sport hanging on against 10 men - the numbers were only equalled in the 90th minute when Olivier Giroud was harshly sent off; no matter that they produced so little with 71 percent of the possession; no matter that the team's deficiencies in assault and midfield were subjected. Arsenal are on course for Champions League qualification for a 16th effective year but, on days such as this, you do wonder quite how. Fulham, who played 78 minutes with 10 men after the inexcusable indiscipline of Steve Sidwell, were a match because of their more illustrious competitors. Correct, they too did not create important rating possibilities, yet they at least had a reason. 'The remaining 10 minutes were actually nervy,' explained Arsene Wenger, who conceded that the second-half performance wasn't good. 'Was it real? Was it mental'? he asked rhetorically. 'In the 2nd half we wanted merely to protect the cause. Against Everton on Tuesday it absolutely was a really physical game and I felt we were a little bit jaded.' In action: Dimitar Berbatov requires the ball past Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey Rash: Steve Sidwell found a red card for this clumsy handle on Arsenal's Mikel Arteta Go here for full table Still, Arsenal have taken 16 items from a possible 18 since what appeared to be described as a season-defining defeat at Tottenham in March and today the onus remains on the neighbours to help keep pace. Wenger had bemoaned the possible lack of security his players received against Everton but could don't have any complaints here. Umpire Andre Marriner rightly took a harder line when Sidwell presented his right foot at Mikel Arteta's leg long following the ball had opted. It had been enough for a red card after just 12 minutes. 'I can't protect him because that will probably seem ridiculous,' said his manager, Martin Jol. 'But I'd not have given it because I knew that it was not intentional, and often you expect that referees will only book you. But if you are consistent then, yeah, it had been a red card.' Trapped in the middle: Berbatov is closed down by Gunners midfielders Arteta (left) and Ramsey Challenge: Bacary Sagna flies right into a handle with Kieran Richardson on the ball for Fulham Challenge: Tomas Rosicky (Left) vies for the ball with Fulham's midfielder Eyong Enoh Under pressure: Olivier Giroud contains off Brede Hangeland before viewing a card in the minute Sidwell argued his case and trudged down slowly. But having just return from the three-game bar after a equivalent expulsion against QPR - his team is also put by an indiscretion which in danger - his team-mates and manager must despair of his lack of control. As it was another following red card, a four-match ban is now faced by the former Arsenal midfielder, indicating his period has ended. Wenger stated that it had been the type of challenge that threatens the worst injuries. Better late than never: Arsenal director Arsene Wenger came back late for the second half The field is left by early bath: Giorud after being sent off in the final minute of the match 'It is really a question of a fraction of a second,' he said. 'If you are fully on your foot at this time you get hit, you break your leg. Arteta just eased off a bit and that's why he got away with it.' The expected onslaught from Arsenal never materialised and Fulham looked a lot more than able, with the really outstanding Urby Emanuelson giving Dimitar Berbatov in the 20th minute and the Bulgarian creating a good chance that forced Wojciech Szczesny to push extensive. Giroud then developed an identical time of quality in the minute, striking a curling shot from the side of the post that was ricocheted off by the box. But Emanuelson responded by taking Nacho Monreal to take, with Szczesny struggling to save. Strategy took the lead prior to half-time with a Walcott free-kick finding Laurent Koscielny, whose header across goal was met by the temple of Per Mertesacker. The second half saw Fulham create the more dangerous times. A vital header was provided by koscielny to avoid Berbatov nodding in a equaliser. And Kieran Richardson's free-kick was only parried by Szczesny, but Stanislav Manolev was offside as he set the ball home. Then, Arsenal were only hanging on, a predicament exacerbated when Giroud mis-timed a tackle on Manolev in the 90th minute. 'I spoke with Giroud and he said in my experience that he slipped right now he went for the ball,' said Wenger. 'It is not a handle but he went somewhat over the ball and, since Sidwell had been sent down before, I had no illusions about the color of the card. But it is just a very important win for us.' Dimitar Berbatov and Olivier Giroud went face to face at Craven Cottage in the present London derby between Fulham and Arsenal. Both strikers went into the fit in good sort, but neither could find the net and Giroud found red in the ultimate moment for a tackle on Stanislav Manolev. GESTURES Berbatov lived around his reputation as a sulker. The Bulgarian flung his arms up in disgust at Urby Emanuelson for perhaps not taking the ball back to him in the first half while Alex Kacaniniklic, Manolev and all three officials got the hairdryer therapy from Berbatov during the match. Giroud was far more sprightly and inspired his team-mates throughout the match. WORK RATE Berbatov did not bother chasing Mark Schwarzer's long pass in the first half, however in fairness to the striker, he did frighten the Arsenal support when they had the ball. Giroud was determined, working the routes and giving support to Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla. His exuberance charge him in the final second though when he received a card for a tackle on Manolev. LINK-UP PLAY Berbatov slipped too heavy at times and a lack of connection together with his team-mates meant he was captured offside four times. Giroud managed to stay in his place and mixed well with his team-mates despite being clattered on two occasions by Philippe Senderos. COMPLETING Berbatov shot straight at Wojciech Szczesny when he got in behind the Arsenal straight back four and his only other work was a weak free-kick which went straight into the wall. On the main one occasion that Giroud gained a property on Brede Hangeland, he struck the foot of an article with a low drive.
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