Arsenal put on a masterclass at Craven Cottage to beat Fulham 3-0. It was a performance of real quality from Mikel Arteta’s side, which was under pressure to respond after City’s late victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Gunners had the stomach for the fight and proved their title credentials with a rampant first-half display. The first goal arrived at 21 minutes when Gabriel Magalhaes rose highest to head home Leandro Trossard’s corner.
The Belgian then provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s strike four minutes later before teeing up Martin Odegaard for the third in first-half stoppage time. It was a comprehensive and clinical performance from Arsenal, who could have added to their tally without a few intelligent saves from Fulham’s goalkeeper.
The hosts improved in the second half and hit the bar through Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Gunners remained a threat at the other end and could have added a fourth when Bernd Leno denied Gabriel Jesus.
The victory ensures. Arsenal maintains a five-point lead over City at the top of the Premier League, with Arteta’s side now the favorites to lift the title with just eleven games remaining. Arsenal’s victory was built on a solid defensive performance from Arsenal, who has now kept four clean sheets out of five games in the league. At the other end of the pitch, the Gunners were equally impressive.
Trossard was the creative star of the show, providing three sublime assists, while the likes of Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka caused problems all evening.
The performance was also boosted by the return of Jesus, who made his first appearance since February as a late substitute. The Brazilian nearly marked his comeback with a goal, but Leno tipped his effort away. As a result of the outcome, Arsenal is currently in a solid position to claim their first premier league title since 2004.
They have a five-point lead over City and a game in hand, and with Arteta’s side in such impressive form, they will now be confident of seeing their way over the line. It was a near-perfect performance from Arsenal, who proved they have the quality, character and resilience to win the title. Now, all that is left for them to do is finish the job.