Arsenal crash in the Cottage

Brede Hangeland inflicted a major dent in the beginning of Arsenal title hopes as his goal earned Fulham a surprise 1-0 win at Craven Cottage. The Norwegian defender struck midway through the first half to hand Roy Hodgson side a deserved victory and give Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger much to ponder. The French side looked scaly and without inspiration against their neighbours in London, which avoided the drop by a hair sleeve last season, French and now is likely to intensify their search for new talent before the transfer window closed on September 1.

A new midfielder Wenger remains the highest priority - saw his team over the medium term at Craven Cottage - but some of his charges should feel sure of their place after this limp effort. Wenger, who has amassed its fair share of silver, knows that the titles are never won while the leaves are still on trees, but that may be lost.

His side showed much as two seasons ago, when a stuttering start left out of contention by Christmas, but fate seems to be smiling at the French this season. A graciously timetable, which sees Arsenal dodge all the top flight big-hitters until November, when Manchester United travel to the United Arab Emirates, represents an open invitation for a team of talent for this kind of values lot of points before the arrival of winter.

But each step in a title challenge is potentially treacherous. Arsenal had worked with a scrappy victory over newly promoted West Bromwich Albion last week and the lack of key personnel at Craven Cottage - including Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky - London derby ensured this has a more telling to him.

That impression was confirmed in a feisty first half, when Fulham gave as good as receiving, snapping hungrily at each Harrying and address their illustrious guests such good style that can be so destructive. Fulham in the industry do not translate into a Welter of possibilities, but when it did carve an opportunity, were ruthless.

In 21 minutes, Jimmy Bullard from the corner was found in the flush of the onrushing Hangeland volley and the ball crashed into the bottom left-hand corner. Arsenal are Ruffles, even with its most adventurous interpreters suffering.

Robin van Persie has missed a gilt-edged chance early, breaking wide from 10 yards after a flawless launch of Samir Nasri, and there was more frustration when Emmanuel Adebayor of the tower header in minute 23 smack his right hand mail. However, there was little concern over Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal and Wenger dropped shoulders and furrowed face and beyond halftime trooper told his own story.

There were at least a renewed purpose and urgency of Arsenal football after the interval, but the lead was maintained by his absence. Instead, the more likely scorers were Fulham, with Bobby Zamora flashing along the near post after running on the left of increased South Korean forward Seol Ki-Hyeon.

Arsenal upped the tempo in the stages of dying in a desperate attempt to restore parity and Van Persie almost succeeded when his low drive zipped just wide. However, if there was no dramatic rescue act and Wenger knows that, unless they act quickly in the transfer market, this could be another season of broken dreams.

Result round 2 premier league 2008

Blackburn R. v Hull C. 1 - 1

Liverpool v Middlesbrough 2 - 1

Newcastle U. v Bolton W. 1 - 0

Stoke C. v Aston Villa 3 - 2

Tottenham H. v Sunderland 1 - 2

West Bromwich A. v Everton 1 - 2

Fulham v Arsenal 1 - 0