Fulham 0-3 Arsenal: Gunners cruise to win to cement place at top of table as Leandro Trossard makes history
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Updated 12/03/2023 at 18:00 GMT
If there is pressure in the Arsenal camp at the prospect of winning the Premier League title, there are no outward signs of it as Mikel Areta’s side cruised to a 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. The damage was done in the first half with goals from Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. Gabriel Jesus returned from injury to boost Arsenal.
Arteta 'really happy' with 100th win as Arsenal boss and Jesus return
Leandro Trossard made history with a hat-trick of first-half assists as Arsenal moved five points clear at the Premier League summit with a convincing 3-0 victory at Fulham.
The Gunners completely overwhelmed their opponents with a particularly dominant showing, as Mikel Arteta’s men further underlined their intent to end a 19-year wait since their last top-flight title.
A two-goal blast in a five-minute period midway through the opening period saw Brazilians Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli nod home simple headers. It took the latter’s tally to a personal best of 12 league goals so far this term and five in his last five league outings.
Martin Odegaard then put the result beyond doubt on the stroke of half-time as he took down Trossard’s cross and rifled past Bernd Leno. The contribution from the Belgian forward saw him become the first player in Premier League history to clock up a trio of assists in the first half of an away game.
Fulham improved following the interval and went close when Tosin Adarabioyo headed against the crossbar.
However, Arsenal continued to comfortably contain their hosts and control the game and were given a further boost 13 minutes from time when Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to make his first appearance since undergoing knee surgery in December.
The result means Arsenal are five points ahead of title rivals Manchester City with 11 matches apiece still to play. Fulham stay eighth but have played more games than their rivals for the European places.
Next up, Arsenal entertain Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League Last 16 on Thursday before hosting Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday. Fulham are also in action that day when they visit Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Talking point - A perfect day for the Gunners
Questions were asked of Arsenal following their home defeat to rivals Manchester City on February 15.
The Gunners have responded with five league wins on the spin, including some dramatic late strikes that have further galvanised the belief that they have what it takes to come through the final 11 matches and lift the title.
This was an 11th away win from 14 Premier League games on the road as they took their tally to 28 goals on their travels – both tallies representing the best records in the top-flight.
It was also a ninth clean sheet which was the perfect response to minor criticism that they have been shipping too many goals, particularly from set pieces, since the restart after the World Cup.
All that was missing from this performance was a goal from substitute Jesus, who offered a huge lift for everyone associated for the club as he made his first appearance for Arsenal since November 12 following injury.
Arsenal will now look to hammer home their advantage at the top and can move eight points clear if they defeat Crystal Palace next weekend, as Manchester City are in FA Cup action.
Player of the match - Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
The former Brighton man has proved to be a very shrewd acquisition by Arteta and has developed a real connection with the team’s attacking players. He was a vibrant cog in a slick Gunners frontline throughout his 77 minutes on the pitch and has now notched five PL assists in his nine league outings for the club.
Player Ratings
FULHAM: Leno 7, Tete 5, Tosin 5, Ream 6, Robinson 5, Reed 6, Lukic 6, Andreas Pereira 6, Decordova-Reid 6, Solomon 6, Mitrovic 5. Subs: James 5, Wilson 5.
ARSENAL: Ramsdale 8, White 8, Saliba 8, Gabriel 8, Zinchenko 8, Partey 8, Xhaka 8, Odegaard 9, Saka 8, Martinelli 9, Trossard 9*. Subs: Tierney 6, Nelson 6, Jesus 6, Vieira 6, Tomiyasu n/a.
Match Highlights
21’ – GOAL! – Fulham 0-1 Arsenal. Gabriel shows the most desire to get on the end of Trossard’s left-wing corner and nod the Gunners ahead.
26’ – GOAL! – Fulham 0-2 Arsenal. Martinelli heads home from close range after a lovely run and cross from Trossard on the left side of the area.
45+2’ – GOAL! – Fulham 0-3 Arsenal. Odegaard is given far too much time to make completely sure of a bullet finish after the Norwegian was picked out by Trossard on the left.
45+2’ – GOAL! – Fulham 0-3 Arsenal. Odegaard is given far too much time to make completely sure of a bullet finish after the Norwegian was picked out by Trossard on the left.
69’ – FULHAM CHANCES! Ramsdale gets down low to push away Bobby Decordova-Reid’s rasping drive. Fulham go close again from an ensuing corner as Tosun smacks the bar with a thumping header.
84’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Jesus almost makes it happen. He's played in on goal by Vieira but can't fire his shot beyond Leno. Jesus then beats the floor in frustration.
Key Stats
Gabriel has scored in three of his four Premier League games against Fulham.
Martinelli has scored 23 goals for Arsenal in the Premier League, levelling Nicolas Anelka's total for league goals scored for the club while 21 or under, and trailing only team-mate Bukayo Saka (27) in this age category overall.
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