The Gunners increased their advantage at the summit of the Premier League to three points thanks to Leandro Trossard’s second-half strike, securing a 1-0 victory for Mikel Arteta’s team at Fulham.
Trossard found the net from a corner kick shortly before the hour mark at Craven Cottage. Later, Arsenal’s opportunity to double their lead was thwarted when a penalty, initially awarded after a foul on Bukayo Saka, was overturned following a VAR review.
Nonetheless, despite the controversial decision, the team from north London successfully maintained their narrow lead to move ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
The reigning champions, Liverpool, will have the chance to reduce the gap to Arsenal to just one point if they emerge victorious against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
Fulham have proven to be a formidable opponent at their home ground this season, having conceded only two points prior to Saturday’s evening match. Arsenal, on the other hand, had failed to secure a win in their previous two visits here. Consequently, it was the home side who created the most promising opportunities in the first 30 minutes.
Harry Wilson directed two attempts wide of David Raya’s goal, while Josh King tested the Arsenal goalkeeper with a shot intended as a cross.
Earlier in the match, Riccardo Calafiori believed he had broken the deadlock with a superb finish following a long ball from Jurriën Timber and a lay-off by Trossard, but the defender was correctly ruled offside.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
With only nine minutes remaining before the halftime break, Viktor Gyökeres had a chance to score, but his first-time shot was saved by Bernd Leno.
Shortly thereafter, Calafiori’s powerful left-footed volley from Saka’s cross sailed just over the German goalkeeper’s crossbar. Arsenal were starting to pose a significant threat, and Declan Rice’s shot went wide with the last kick of the first half.
Arteta’s team maintained their attacking intent as they entered the second half. Trossard’s shot went wide before Timothy Castagne managed to deflect Saka’s intricate run off the line within the first five minutes of the half, setting the tone for a captivating second half.
Fulham aimed to absorb Arsenal’s pressure and launch counter-attacks against the visitors. Wilson’s volley from Alex Iwobi’s cross on the counter in the 55th minute provided encouragement for the home supporters.
However, their hopes were dashed just three minutes later when Arsenal took the lead. Saka’s in-swinging corner from the right was met by Gabriel, and the Brazilian’s flick-on was inadvertently directed into the net off Trossard’s right knee.
This goal marked Trossard’s first league goal in almost six months and Arsenal’s 37th goal from a corner in the league since the beginning of the 2023-24 season — a remarkable 16 more than any other team.
Arsenal’s confidence surged, and a clever backheel from Trossard presented Saka with an opportunity to shoot at Leno’s goal, which the former Arsenal player managed to save.
Saka continued to be a constant threat, and he appeared to have earned his team a penalty when he was brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Kevin – the substitute’s first involvement in the game.
Anthony Taylor immediately pointed to the penalty spot, but VAR determined that Kevin had made contact with the ball before making contact with the player. Taylor then consulted the pitch-side monitor and reversed his decision, offering Fulham a lifeline.
With 10 minutes remaining, Gyökeres fired his shot over the bar from close range, and Leno denied him again in the nine minutes of added time, extending his goalless streak to seven matches.
Ultimately, it did not affect the outcome as Arsenal secured their third consecutive league victory and their fifth across all competitions, as they strive to end their 22-year wait for the title of English football’s top prize.
