Arsenal blow away Fulham 3-0 to restore five-point lead

Arsenal kept the ball rolling and registered their fifth victory in a row in the Premier League with their comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. The Gunners produced a sensational first-half blitz to blow away their London rivals, with goals from Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Odegaard powering Mikel Arteta’s side to a straightforward win away from home.

Arsenal showed no signs of weariness against Fulham despite travelling to Lisbon for their Europa League tie on Thursday night, and the Gunners completely outmatched Marcos Silva’s side with an electric first half performance.

The Gunners had an early goal ruled out for off-side by the VAR but kept launching waves of attack to snatch the early advantage. Granit Xhaka tested Bernd Leno with a low shot at the near post, and the Gunners found the opening goal from the resulting corner, with central defender Gabriel rising highest and thumping in a towering header from Leandro Trossard’s delivery.

The Belgian was heavily involved in Arsenal’s attacks down the left wing and set up the second goal just five minutes later, teeing up Gabriel Martinelli with another floated cross after a well-worked team goal from the visitors.

Granit Xhaka spurned a golden chance to make it three, failing to get his shot away following another free-flowing attack, but Martin Odegaard killed the game off in first-half injury time. Collecting the ball from another Trossard assist, the Norwegian danced around the Fulham defence and laced his shot past Bernd Leno to make it 3-0.

The hosts improved after the break and even went close to finding a consolation as Tosin Adarabioyo’s header thundered off the woodwork. However, it was Arsenal that dictated most of the possession and looked more likely to add a fourth.

The table toppers also received a major boost in the final 15 minutes as Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited return to the side after a prolonged period on the sidelines. The Brazilian, who suffered a knee injury at the World Cup, was brought on for Leandro Trossard in the closing stages and even went close to marking his comeback with a goal but could only find the feet of Leno with a tame effort.

Manchester City kept the pressure on Arsenal with their win over Crystal Palace on Saturday night, but the Gunners restored their five-point lead at the top of the table with their win at Craven Cottage. Mikel Arteta’s side now turn their attention to the second leg of the Europa League last 16 against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday before hosting Crystal Palace at home in the final league game before the international break.