Premier League, Arsenal shine again: 3-0 against Fulham. He is now +6 (and +4 goals) on City

It couldn’t have gone better than this. Arsenal overwhelms Fulham 3-0 and moves up to +6 on Manchester City, who have played two games less (the next one is on Monday at Everton), but who are now 4 goals behind in goal difference, the first criterion in the event of a draw. It’s not just the large victory that makes us say that it couldn’t have gone any better for the Gunners: they won deservedly, they dominated, they played their best game since at least March 17th, when they began a series that before today had just two victories in 8 games. They returned to scoring a lot (they hadn’t scored more than one goal since March 17), they kept a clean sheet, they rejoiced in Viktor Gyökeres’ brace and the magic of Buykayo Saka, the protagonist with the goal that made it momentary 2-0 and the splendid assist for the first goal. Furthermore, Mikel Arteta gave precious minutes of rest to important players, very useful in view of the second leg of the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid.

the keys

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Arsenal are shining again. Determined, in control of the game, inspired. As in the best moments of the season, as we haven’t seen for months. Gyökeres so dominant and precise near goal hasn’t been seen for a while, Saka so inspired (and on the pitch only for the first 45 minutes, in view of Atletico) is one of those who can make the difference in the sprint with City which is worth the Premiership, one of those who can make Arsenal forget the disappointments of the past and convince the entire Gunners world that this is the right time. Arteta made the right choices: not only the turnover, but also the idea of ​​relaunching Myles Lewis-Skelly in that midfield role he held in the Academy. The 19-year-old who has looked lost lately at left-back has been excellent. Like Riccardo Calafiori, in his first match since 7 April: goal disallowed in the first half, unlucky crossbar in the second half (his header bounced off the head of goalkeeper Leno and from there onto the woodwork), energy and unpredictability in attack with his continuous movements and precision in defence. A match like this is what Arsenal needed to look forward with optimism. It’s true that with this one Fulham have made 33 attempts at the Gunners without ever having managed to win (26th defeat), but the test of character and the way in which Arteta’s team dominated the match are the best things in view of the final weeks of the season. For the first time since mid-March, Arsenal put together three consecutive useful results (two wins), a clear sign of growth. And of hope that this season in which the Gunners are still in the running for the Premier League and Champions League will actually end with at least one trophy.

the others

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West Ham stops after three useful results, complicating the race for salvation by taking a 3-0 defeat from Brentford in the other London derby of the day. De Zerbi’s Tottenham, two points behind, have the chance to overtake the Hammers tomorrow and leave them third from last place in the table with a victory at Aston Villa. Michael Kayode’s Brentford, on the other hand, returns to winning ways after 6 games and continues their European dream: they are now 6th on 51, after having overtaken Brighton, KO 3-1 in Newcastle and stuck on 50. For the Magpies, with Tonali on the pitch for 90 minutes, their first victory after 4 defeats in a row. It ends 1-1 between the already relegated Wolverhampton and Sunderland, with 10 men from the 24th minute (when they were ahead 1-0) due to the expulsion of Ballard, guilty of pulling an opponent’s hair.