Fulham had looked comfortable for much of the contest and took the lead when Ryan Sessegnon struck from around 20 yards in the second half. The visitors appeared to be on course for a valuable victory, having controlled long spells and limited Ipswich’s attacking threat.
However, the hosts refused to accept defeat. Abdoul Ouattara produced a superb long-range finish in the 88th minute to bring Ipswich level, before captain Dara O’Shea headed home a stoppage-time winner from Jack Clarke’s free-kick.
The turnaround dealt another blow to Fulham, who are still searching for their first Premier League victory. Arbeloa admitted the result was difficult to accept, particularly after his team had performed well for an hour.
“It is difficult to accept that we have lost this game, but it is what it is. We will try to improve what we did wrong today,” he told Sky Sports.
The Fulham manager felt his side had lost control after scoring, allowing Ipswich to press higher and forcing the visitors into a more direct approach than the game required.
“I think we were playing so well for 60 minutes and after we scored the goal they tried to press a little higher and we played maybe so direct. We didn't need to change the gameplan when we were winning.”
Arbeloa said the recurring problem was not necessarily conceding after taking the lead, but how Fulham responded once they had scored.
“Another week it is the same history, so we need to improve as soon as we can. I don't think it is a real problem. It is not about the goals you concede when you score first, it is about what you do when you score the goal.”
He insisted his players must maintain the same approach regardless of the scoreline, rather than retreating into a defensive mindset.
“We need to try and have the same mentality when we are winning, drawing or losing. It doesn't matter if we are winning or losing, we have our gameplan and we have to follow it.”
The defeat increases the pressure on Fulham as they continue to seek their first league win under Arbeloa. The Spaniard, however, insisted the immediate focus had to remain on his own team rather than the next opponent.
“The pressure is always there,” he said. “It is about us, not the opponent.”
Ipswich Town, meanwhile, were rewarded for their persistence with a dramatic victory.