Arsenal limped into 2024 after a damaging stretch that culminated in what coach Mikel Arteta called “the worst performance of the season” on the final day of the year.
The Gunners lost 2-1 at Fulham on Sunday, a second straight defeat that means the team stayed in fourth place in the Premier League — when a victory would have lifted it into first.
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal an early lead and is now their top scorer in the Premier League this season with six goals.
After Raul Jimenez equalised in the first half itself, Bobby Decordova-Reid scored the winner in the 60th minute.
As a result, Arsenal stayed in fourth, having been top of the table at Christmas, and is now just 1 point ahead of 5th-placed Tottenham after its north London rival beat Bournemouth 3-1 at home.