Arsenal continue to prove more doubters wrong as they easily clear latest title hurdle
FULHAM 0-3 ARSENAL: Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard secured three valuable points as they restored their five-point gap at the top
This was to be one of Arsenal’s toughest games in run-in.
And yet they made it feel like a walk in the park with one of their most polished, purring performances of the season. If there was any doubt about Mikel Arteta’s men being able to take the title across the line, they shouldn’t be now.
Arsenal’s stylish football has also made them the hottest ticket in town. Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger sat in the directors’ box at Craven Cottage and Wild Horses couldn’t stop Arsenal this time. With just 11 games to go, they’ve rebuilt their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table, but it’s also the way they’re doing it.
Leandro Trossard was the best player on the pitch, providing all three assists and yet it was the second goal that embodied the team effort. Arsenal passed from behind, they kept their nerve under the pressure and every outfield player touched the ball before Gabriel Martinelli headed in Trossard’s cross.
They also had a welcome boost when the fit Gabriel Jesus came on in the 77th minute on his first appearance since being eliminated from the World Cup with a knee injury.
It feels like the stars are lining up for Arsenal and maybe a few more people will start taking them seriously instead of just playing a waiting game as to when City will catch and pass them.
They undoubtedly play the best football in the Premier League and simply blew Fulham away in the first half. Fulham were so poor defensively that they were missing Joao Palhinha through suspension and would not be able to do without him.
Arsenal are in the middle of a busy fixture schedule with their Europa League season but at Craven Cottage they looked sharp and in spirit from the start.
Antonee Robinson had a terrible game but was at least spared the humiliation of scoring an own goal as VAR showed Martinelli was flagged for offside in the build-up to avoid the Fulham defender blushing. But Arsenal didn’t have to wait long as they took the lead in the 21st minute when Trossard’s corner found Brazilian defender Gabriel inside the box, scoring with a short header.
The second goal was a thing of beauty. One of the best goals you will see this season. A team goal to silence all those old soccer dinosaurs who don’t believe in playing from behind. Arsenal long refused to smash it, they kept playing, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and William Saliba passed it between themselves while Fulham pressed and chased.
Arteta’s men pressed on and then found an escape, Granit Xhaka’s pass freeing Trossard and his cross was headed in by Martinelli. Terrible defense again, but that shouldn’t affect the quality of the move.
Martinelli, Xhaka and Trossard nearly scored more before Arsenal struck a third in first-half injury time. Saka and Martinelli combined before Trossard met Martin Odegaard who shot home.
Incredibly, Trossard has become the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick with assists in the first half of an away game. At £21million, the Belgium star has been an absolute steal, has brought a new dimension and option to Arsenal and Jesus may even have to wait his turn.
Fulham were much better in the second half when Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a shot well-saved by Aaron Ramsdale while Aleksandar Mitrovic hit the Arsenal crossbar. But Arsenal could have scored more goals themselves and Jesus gave them an extra advantage. Now there are only 11 games left. Arsenal fans shouldn’t bite their nails. You should embrace the excitement.