LONDON – Arsenal overtook Fulham to regain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table as they went wild in a 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage.
“We’re going to win the championship!” chanted Arsenal fans at various stages of the game and on this show they sounded like a title-winning side.
Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard all scored in the first half as Fulham couldn’t handle Arsenal’s deft movement and Mikel Arteta’s side should have won a lot more.
Marco Silva’s side improved in the second half, but Arsenal secured a fifth consecutive Premier League victory on 66 points and five ahead of Manchester City. Fulham have now lost back-to-back games and remain on 39 points.
Martinelli and Trossard deliver an additional timely layer at the perfect time
It was a joy to watch Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli rip Fulham apart in the first half. The pair moved between the left flank and central areas seamlessly and Fulham simply couldn’t keep up with them. Arsenal pushed Fulham high, but they were also so smart in the way they allowed Fulham to play a pass from behind into midfield and then challenge. Martin Odegaard pushed further to play as a second striker and was still free to combine when they picked him up. Without Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah (the former is back in form and arrived late in the game), Arsenal had to get creative with their attacking options and that inadvertently gave them an extra tactical layer at some point. hinge of the season. Jesus will of course start much of the last 11 games of the campaign, but Arsenal now have a very different option to deploy whenever they want. This is going to be crucial in the final months of the season as they aim to win the title.
Mikel Arteta praises attacking unit as Gunners hold on to lead
Stars of the show; Fulham player ratings vs Arsenal
Leandro Trossard: A hat-trick of assists in the first half and oozing class every time he got on the ball. What a January signing.
Martin Odegaard: Accomplished its objective and spawned in dangerous areas throughout the match.
Gabriel Martinelli: Could have had a hat trick in the first half and his smart runs couldn’t be followed.
And after?
Fulham travel to Manchester United on Sunday March 19 for an FA Cup quarter-final. Arsenal host Sporting Lisbon in their Europa League Round of 16 second leg on Thursday, then host Crystal Palace on Sunday, March 19.
How to watch Fulham vs Arsenal live! – By Joe Prince-Wright at Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 10 a.m. ET Sunday
TV channel/On line: Watch on Peacock Premium
FULL TIME: Fulham 0-3 Arsenal – Absolutely clinical Arsenal. They were excellent. Fulham were blown away in the first half. Too easy on Arteta’s side.
CHANCE! Gabriel Jesus is played but his weak finish is saved by Leno. So close to a goal on his return and he should have scored.
Gabriel Jesus arrives and there is a huge roar from the Arsenal fans outside. What a standing ovation for Jesus on his return. His first appearance since before the World Cup.
CROSS-BAR! Fulham hit the bar. A header from a corner is good but it bounces back. So bad luck for the hosts.
TO SAFEGUARD! Aaron Ramsdale saves low to deny Decordova-Reid. Fulham were much better in the second half. But it wasn’t exactly difficult after their first half…
Fulham have more ball but Arsenal look so dangerous every time they break.
The second half is underway and Ramsdale came in to beat within a few crosses. Fulham put Arsenal under pressure to recover a goal.
HALF-TIME – Fulham 0-3 Arsenal: About as dominating a first half as Arsenal have had all season. Totally in control, 3-0 and cruising. It could have been five or six. Arsenal fans chant Mikel Arteta’s name on the other side. Fulham have missed Joao Palhinha badly in midfield and aren’t watching him.
OBJECTIFLL! Fulham 0-3 Arsenal – Just at half-time, Martin Odegaard fires home after another fine Arsenal counter. Brilliant game from Martinelli and Leandro Trossard again. Arsenal have been excellent on these transitions.
TO SAFEGUARD! Great save from Leno to deny Martinelli. It looked certain to be a third for Arsenal.
Nervous moment for Aaron Ramsdale as he inexplicably passes the ball straight to Andreas Pereira but the Fulham midfielder lobs over the bar. Big chance for Fulham. Arsenal fans are chanting the name Ramsdale.
CHANCE! Great smooth football from Arsenal after Tosin gave it away but Xhaka decides to take an extra touch and he gets it all wrong as Leno gratefully recovers. A great chance for Arsenal to lead 3-0.
A bit of possession for Fulham now as Manor Solomon bends a wide from the far post. Very similar to his recent effort from this position which usually flies. Home fans are getting a bit anxious. Arsenal happy to sit deeper and protect their 2-0 lead. Nice position for the Gunners.
“You know you’re going to believe us, we’re going to win the championship!” sing Arsenal fans away here at Craven Cottage.
OBJECTIFLL! 2-0 for Arsenal. Leandro Trossard with a nice cross cut to the back post and Martinelli heads home. Trossard and Martinelli were sensational from the start. Fulham can’t handle their movement.
William Saliba strides forward and crushes a shot over the bar from 35 yards out. That sums up the confidence in this Arsenal team at the moment.
OBJECTIFLL! Gabriel returns home as he climbs over Tosin and returns home around a corner. Poor Fulham defence. Arsenal deservedly lead. Fulham 0-1 Arsenal.
WITHOUT ANY GOAL! Gabriel Martinelli has a shot from the left which Bernd Leno saves but it bounces off Antonee Robinson and enters. Arsenal think they are 1-0 but VAR is used and Martinelli was just offside. Home fans celebrate the arrival of the VAR decision on screen as if it were a goal for Fulham. First drama here.
Just like at the World Cup, Bukayo Saka and Antonee Robinson look set for a very good battle on the wing closest to me here in the press box. Robinson had Saka’s number in Qatar…
Slow start here as Arsenal have been a bit sloppy. Perhaps you can excuse them after they return from Lisbon on Thursday? Home fans are very happy with Fulham’s departure.
TO START UP! We’re underway here at The Cottage and it’s the Arsenal fans who are making all the noise from the start.
Nice buzz around Craven Cottage as the atmosphere builds. Home fans are full of optimism and away fans are also expecting a big win.
Give him a watch before the game. Can Arsenal handle the Man City pressure blowing down their neck?
Team news is here! Ben White and Granit Xhaka for Arsenal. Fulham made two changes with Tosin in place of Diop and Bobby Decordova-Reid in place of Willian, with the Brazilian winger missing entirely.
Some intriguing news from the team at the start here. Gabriel Jesus is here at the Cottage and it’s a huge boost for Arsenal.
Welcome to West London! Beautiful early spring day here as Fulham host Premier League leaders Arsenal. Can the Gunners claim five Premier League wins in a row? Can Fulham cause a big shock?
Key storylines and star actors
Fulham are still alive in the FA Cup and have that route to Europe as well. Israeli striker Manor Solomon played a big role in the Cottagers’ recent tally as the Premier League adaptation hasn’t been a problem for a man who has plenty of European experience from Shakhtar Donetsk. Palhinha misses his suspension and Fulham will have their work cut out in the heart of the field.
Arsenal get performances all over the pitch, but the constant showman has been Bukayo Saka, as Mikel Arteta hasn’t been afraid to launch the young Englishman time and time again.
Fulham team news, injuries, roster
OUT: Palhinha (suspension), Tom Cairney (ankle), Neeskens Kebano (achilles), Layvin Kurzawa (knee), Cedric Soares (loan – parent club), Willian (undisclosed)
Arsenal squad news, injuries, roster
OUT: Mohamed Elneny (striking), Eddie Nketiah (ankle)