This was supposed to be one of Arsenal’s hardest games in the run-in.
And yet they made it look like a stroll in the park with one of their most polished, purring performances of the season. If there were still any doubts as to whether Mikel Arteta’s men can get the title over the line then there should not be now.
Arsenal ’s stylish football has also made them the hottest ticket in town. Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger was in the directors’ box at Craven Cottage and Wild Horses could not stop Arsenal this time. There are just 11 games left, they re-established their five point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table but it is also the way they are doing it.
Leandro Trossard was the best player on the pitch, supplying all three assists and yet it was the second goal which typified the team performance. Arsenal passed it out from the back, they held their nerve under pressure and every single outfield player touched the ball before Gabriel Martinelli headed in Trossard’s cross.
They also had a welcome boost when fit-again Gabriel Jesus came on as a 77th minute substitute for his first appearance since a knee injury forced him out of the World Cup.
It feels like the stars are aligning for Arsenal and maybe a few more people will start taking them seriously rather than just playing a waiting game of when City will catch and overtake them.
They are undoubtedly playing the best football in the Premier League and they just blew Fulham away in the first half. Fulham were so poor defensively, they were missing Joao Palhinha through suspension and they could not cope without him.
Arsenal are right in the middle of a gruelling fixture schedule with their Europa League campaign but they looked sharp and in the mood right from the start at Craven Cottage.
Antonee Robinson had an awful game but was at least spared the humiliation of scoring an own goal as VAR showed Martinelli was offside in the build-up to spare the Fulham defender’s blushes. But Arsenal did not have to wait much longer as they took a 21st minute lead when Trossard’s corner found Brazil defender Gabriel in the box who scored with a glancing header.
The second goal was a thing of beauty. One of the best goals you will see this season. A team goal to shut up all those old football dinosaurs who do not believe in playing out from the back. Arsenal refused to smash it long, they kept playing, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and William Saliba passed it amongst themselves while Fulham pressed and chased.
Arteta’s men kept going then found a way out, Granit Xhaka’s pass released Trossard and his cross was headed in by Martinelli. Awful defending again but that should not spoil the quality of the move.
Martinelli, Xhaka and Trossard went close to more goals before Arsenal got a third in first half injury time. Saka and Martinelli combined before Trossard teed up Martin Odegaard who fired home.
Incredibly, Trossard is the first player in Premier League history to make a hat trick of assists in the first half of an away game. At £21m, the Belgium star has been an absolute steal, has given Arsenal a new dimension and option and Jesus might even have to wait for his turn.
Fulham were much better in the second half as Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a shot well saved by Aaron Ramsdale while Aleksandar Mitrovic rattled the Arsenal crossbar. But Arsenal could have scored more themselves and Jesus gave them an extra edge. There are now just 11 games left. Arsenal fans should not be biting their nails. They should be embracing the excitement.
