Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his side were “10 times better than last season” despite dropping points for the first time in this Premier League campaign against 10-man Fulham.
The Gunners thought goals from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah would be enough for victory after falling behind in the first minute at Emirates Stadium.
But, after Calvin Bassey was sent off, Joao Palhinha rescued a 2-2 draw for Fulham by scoring from close range in the 87th minute.
“We go 2-1 up and you have to defend for your life, you cannot concede the goal after everything we have done,” said Arteta. “We should have scored five, six, seven (goals).
“If I compare the game this season to last season, we were 10 times better than last season. At least 10.”
Arsenal went behind to a defensive error in this fixture last term, on the same August weekend, but they recovered to win 2-1 that time.
Here they trailed after 57 seconds after gifting the visitors possession and handing Andreas Pereira an opener, but Arteta was pleased with the response.
“In the first minute when you make the mistake that we made and you just give a goal to the opponent the game becomes much more difficult,” said Arteta.
“The reaction straight after that and the chances we generated, we didn’t give anything away. We controlled the game for full periods but we didn’t score the goal.”
Substitutes Nketiah and Fabio Vieira had a telling influence after the break, to Arteta’s satisfaction.
“In the second half we made some changes and the dynamic changed, we had better relationships,” Arteta said.
“The subs made a huge difference and great impact. I love the determination and the confidence they brought to the team.”