Fulham upsets Arsenal

Fulham beat Arsenal 1-0 Saturday with a goal from Norway defender Brede Hangeland, putting pressure on the Gunners to strengthen their midfield before the transfer window closes.

Hangeland scored in the 21st minute at Craven Cottage after sliding to connect with a cross from a short corner and volleying the ball past Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal, despite surrendering possession too easily and looking weak in midfield, had several chances in the first half.

The Gunners could have opened the scoring in the 20th minute when striker Robin van Persie shot wide from a few yards after clever passing from midfielders Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott.

Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor also had a few opportunities in the first half, the biggest one in the 23rd when the Togo international hit the outside of the post with a header.

Adebayor played a crisp pass to Walcott in the 36th, but the England international shot over the bar from 20 yards.

In the 60th, Bobby Zamora almost doubled the scoreline with a shot off a cross from Seol.

Van Persie struck a crisp shot near the edge of the area in the 69th which just went wide.

It was a poor performance from the Gunners, who didn't allow manager Arsene Wenger to celebrate his 450th Premier League match at Arsenal.

Wenger hopes midfielder Cesc Fabregas will return soon from a hamstring problem, and the French coach will also seek to bolster his midfield before the Sep. 1 transfer deadline.

Fulham defender John Pantsil did a victory lap around the ground afterward to celebrate ending a drought against Arsenal in league matches.

It was the first time Fulham beat Arsenal since November 2006, when the Cottagers won 2-1. Prior to the match, Arsenal had a 12-2 overall record against Fulham, and Fulham had lost more matches and dropped more points to Arsenal than to any other club in the league.

The Gunners could have used the experience of defender Mikael Silvestre, who signed with Arsenal on Wednesday after nine years at Manchester United. Silvestre, who was not selected, would have made his 250th league appearance.

Fabregas may be fit to play in the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against FC Twente on Wednesday. Abou Diaby (thigh) and Phillipe Senderos (hamstring) were also out Saturday.

Fulham striker Andy Johnson missed out again on making his debut after signing from Everton. He is recovering from a thigh strain and is not expected to play for three weeks.

Sapa-AP