11 November,2012 09:04 AM IST | | AFP
The result left Arsene Wenger's side four points below the Champions League places in seventh position, with four of the teams above them still to play.
Despite a strong start from Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, the hosts found themselves 2-0 up inside 23 minutes thanks to a near-post header from Olivier Giroud and a predatory finish from Lukas Podolski.
Fulham hit back through Dimitar Berbatov, who headed home unmarked from a corner, before substitute Alexander Kacaniklic drew the visitors level with a downward header five minutes before half-time. Berbatov then gave Fulham the lead from the penalty spot (67th min), after Arteta tripped Bryan Ruiz, but Giroud restored parity two minutes later with a header.
Arteta could have given Arsenal victory in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Sascha Riether was penalised for handling Andrey Arshavin's cross, but his low spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Mark Schwarzer. Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Theo Walcott could be ruled out of England's friendly against Sweden on Wednesday after suffering a buttock muscle injury in the first half here.
Other EPL results
Everton 2-1 Sunderland
Reading 0-0 Norwich
Southampton 1-1 Swansea
Stoke 1-0 QPR
Wigan 1-2 West Bromu00a0