Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Fulham was one for the record books

Premier League

FULHAM 0
ARSENAL 3 (Gabriel 21, Martinelli 26, Odegaard 45+2)

ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta registered his 100th win in charge of the club this afternoon (Sunday) after the Gunners secured a 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Premier League leaders made light work of their London rivals as they dismantled the Cottagers within the first 45 minutes to go five points clear of chasers Manchester City.

Reflecting on his century of wins as Arsenal manager, Arteta said: “I’m really happy that we won today, it’s the 100th but hopefully there will be many more.

“It’s earning those wins and having a team that follows everything you want to do, and a team you identify with, that is the most important.”

Having seen a goal ruled out for offside by VAR, the Gunners continued to press and took the lead midway through the first half when Gabriel headed home Leandro Trossard’s corner.

Arteta’s table toppers doubled their advantage five minutes later when Gabriel Martinelli rose highest in the six-yard box to score a simple header.

The game was done and dusted in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Martin Odegaard calmly finished from inside the box. That made it 3-0 to the Gunners, and 3-0 to Trossard, who had set-up all three of the visitors goals.

Fulham looked much better in the second half with Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Tosin Adarabioyo going close, with the former forcing a great save from Aaron Ramsdale.

Arsenal, however, never really looked threatened as they held on to secure a fifth consecutive away clean sheet in a London derby, a feat which is a first in English Football history. It’s a landmark that they’ve achieve in style – boasting an aggregate of 11-0 which really displays the Gunners’ defensive stability, especially away from home.

With a lot to sing about at the moment, Arsenal fans were heard chanting: “we’re going to win the league.”

When asked whether he would have sang along with the travelling fans had he been sitting in the stand, Arteta replied: “I don’t know, I would be singing with them to support the team that’s for sure. They’ve been exceptional, the amount of people that are coming here, the passion, the energy they’re putting in is incredible. We’re going to need that and that’s a game changer for us so thank you.”

Another reason to keep Gooners smiling is the return of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian centre-forward came on as a substitute late on and could have had a dream return when he found himself one-on-one with Fulham keeper Bernd Leno, who brilliantly saved his shot.

Fulham: Leno, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Lukic, De Cordova-Reid, Pereira (Wilson, 76), Solomon (James 76), Mitrovic
Substitutes not used: Rodak, Alves Morais, Diop, Francois, Harris, Wickens, Robinson

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White (Tomiyasu, 80), Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Tierney, 72), Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Trossard (Jesus, 77), Saka (Nelson, 72), Martinelli (Vieira, 77)
Substitutes not used: Turner, Holding, Smith Rowe, Jorginho