Gabriel Megalhaes reveals WHY he shouted and blamed Declan Rice in 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage
Gabriel Magalhaes blamed Arsenal teammate Declan Rice in a fiery exchange at Fulham.
The Gunners lost 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, despite taking a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute through Bukay Sako. But the Cottagers outplayed them and couldn’t create enough chances as Raul Jimenez and Bobby De Cordova-Reid punished the visitors with goals in each half.
It was a worrying performance that was just the latest blow to their Premier League title hopes, as they lost 2-0 to West Ham on Thursday. In the second half, the Gunners were on the back foot as stars Gabriel and Rice vented their frustrations at each other.
The Brazilian central defender was caught on TV cameras shouting at Rice at one point. He angrily pointed his hand at the England international, while Rice protested and spread his arms.
Fortunately for manager Mikel Arteta, the heated exchange ended as Gabriel turned his back and walked off. Soon, however, De Cordova-Reid capitalised on a comedy of errors following a corner, as the ball bounced off Rice and Takehiro Tomiyasu and fell into the path of the Fulham ace, who finished with ease.
Rice and his teammates suddenly found themselves in desperate form, having been top of the standings at Christmas and now in fourth place. The defeat to Fulham was their fourth defeat this season and leaves them just one point ahead of their Tottenham rivals.
After the away game against Brentford, the Gunners could find themselves three points behind Manchester City. They are five points clear of leaders Liverpool after their New Year’s Eve match against Newcastle.
