Arsenal FC has submitted in the English title race. After a confident 3-0 (3-0) win against Fulham, the “Gunners” currently have a six-point cushion over Manchester City.
The goals for the Londoners were scored twice by Viktor Gyökeres (9th, 45th + 4) and Bukayo Saka (40th). Arsenal are six points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, but also have two more games in their account than Pep Guardiola’s team. City play at Everton on Monday and could shorten it.
Havertz is missing injured
It’s a tough program for Arsenal FC these days – it’s not just about winning the Premier League, coach Mikel Arteta’s team is also very promising in the Champions League. During the week, the semi-final first leg drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid.
In Spain, Kai Havertz was missing with a muscular problem – and the German international had to sit out again against Fulham. He should be ready for action again next week against Atletico.
Saka prepares, Gyökeres scores – 1-0
Martin Odegaard, who was also injured, was also missing against Fulham – but even without the Norwegian playmaker, the Londoners took command from the start against the tenth-placed team in the Premier League. They could soon cheer. The starting point was a nice move from Saka on the right wing. The 24-year-old let Raul Jimenez out with a simple physical illusion and crossed freely from the baseline into the center, where goalgetter Gyökeres only had to hold out his foot – it was 1-0 early on (9th).
The league leaders continued to build momentum – and they continued to have good opportunities against Fulham, who were otherwise so strong in defence. Fulham keeper Bernd Leno, himself an Arsenal jersey from 2018 to 2022, jumped past the ball after 27 minutes, but Saka was unable to place the rebounding ball into the almost empty goal.
Arsenal plays Fulham against the wall
Two minutes later, the ball was in the net to make it 2-0: Leandro Trossard had crossed from the right, Riccardo Calafiori headed it in from ten meters – but the 23-year-old Italian was just offside. Fulham had no chance – after 30 minutes of play, the “Cottagers” hadn’t had a single touch of the ball in the opponent’s penalty area.
The “Gunners” stuck with it and added the second goal a little later: This time it was Gyökeres who prepared the assist. The Swedish international worked well down the right lane and played a wonderful ball through the intersection of the last defensive line. Saka suddenly found himself all alone in front of Leno and gave the German no chance with a shot into the near corner – 2-0 (40th). And Arsenal still hadn’t had enough. Trossard prepared wonderfully, crossing from the left side to Gyökeres, who, running backwards, put a very strong header into the goal to make it 3-0 (45th).
Fulham gets shares of the game, but no chances to score
The game was decided at halftime – and Arsenal FC is known for only doing what is necessary after decisions have been made. That’s how Arteta’s men did it this time too. Fulham were allowed to play and had a high percentage of possession, but the guests didn’t have any real chances.
Arsenal limited themselves to a good defensive performance with the handbrake on and almost made it 4-0 in the 56th minute. Trossard had held his own in midfield and served Gyökeres with a pass, but it failed because Leno rushed out. Ten minutes before the end, the rafters shook: Calafiori had put a header on the crossbar of Leno’s box.
