Manchester City’s 0-1 win Vs Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park meant Arsenal went into their clash away at high-flying Fulham needing three points to take the gap between them and the reigning champions back to five points. It was set out to be a tough task as Fulham had only lost three times at home prior to the Gunners visit and were defining expectations as they fight for a potential top seven spot and European football next season. However, Arsenal despatched the West London side with relative ease and a great performance saw them come away from Craven Cottage with a 0-3 victory.
Mikel Arteta was handed a huge boost before the game with not only having Leandro Trossard fit to start following his injury in the home fixture against AFC Bournemouth, but Gabriel Jesus also was able to be named among the substitutes. The Brazilian making his first appearance in an Arsenal matchday squad since his knee injury at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Arsenal were clearly keen to get off to a fast start by the Thames and they had the ball in the back of the Fulham net on the fifteenth minute as following a shot from Gabriel Martinelli, Leno palmed the ball straight into Antonee Robinson who could do nothing to prevent the ball going into the net. However, Martinelli was later adjudged to have been offside and the goal was disallowed. Despite that, ten minutes later Arsenal would make the breakthrough as Gabriel headed in Leandro Trossard’s corner midway through the first half. The Brazilian defender scoring his third goal against Fulham in four games against the West Londoners in the process.
From that point on, Arsenal began to take total control of the game with Fulham struggling to deal with the quality of passing and movement being shown by Arteta’s side and they deservedly doubled their lead as another Trossard cross was headed in by another Brazilian. This time it was Gabriel Martinelli on the end of the Belgian’s delivery netting his 12th Premier League goal of the season and making it 0-2 on the day. But Arsenal weren’t done there as in the final minutes of the first half, yet another Leandro Trossard delivery was sent into the Fulham penalty area and fell at the feet of Martin Odegaard. The Arsenal captain finding the bottom corner after some nice footwork to make it 0-3 and end any hope of a Fulham comeback. Leandro Trossard was on fire with three assists before the break.
Arsenal couldn’t find any more goals in the second half however the return of Gabriel Jesus after three months was a welcome sign as he replaced Trossard with fifteen minutes to go. The Brazilian striker also almost marked his return with a goal of it was not for a save from former Arsenal man Bernd Leno who denied the returning striker after he was played in by Fabio Vieira.
The three points and the clean sheet will be very welcome to Arteta as he prepares his side for the second leg of their Europa league tie with Sporting CP. Later in the week, Arsenal will have the opportunity to briefly go eight points clear with a win at home to Crystal Palace due to Manchester City’s participation in the FA Cup.