Fulham vs. Arenal: How the Gunners gun them down

Arsenal get the ball rolling and we’re underway at Craven Cottage!

Arsenal have controlled the lion’s share of possession in the early going. Martinelli looks for several runners crashing Fulham’s post with a lofted cross, but his ball runs just a touch too far for his team-mates.

Arsenal have controlled the lion’s share of possession in the early going. Martinelli looks for several runners crashing Fulham’s post with a lofted cross, but his ball runs just a touch too far for his team-mates.

It’s Martinelli again, this time looking to slip Xhaka in at the byline, but again his ball is just a bit too strong and the attack fizzles.

One interesting to watch from Fulham on the ball early on: De Cordova-Reid swapping in-field when they build from the back, and Mitrovic dropping wide right to sit on Zinchenko’s side.

Xhaka releases Martinelli with a brilliant pass. He hits a shot that Leno does really well to save, but the rebound is immediately steered back into goal by Antonee Robinson, who had little chance to get out of the way.

VAR spares the full-back’s blushes though, as Martinelli was offside.

Xhaka releases Martinelli with a brilliant pass. He hits a shot that Leno does really well to save, but the rebound is immediately steered back into goal by Antonee Robinson, who had little chance to get out of the way.

VAR spares the full-back’s blushes though, as Martinelli was offside.

A mistake from Ream leads to a shot from Xhaka that Leno confidently saves at his near post.

This one will count! Trossard takes a corner and Gabriel rises highest to nod the ball home!

Saliba tries a shot from well beyond the box. It’s not a bad effort but it flies well over the target. A sign of Arsenal’s confidence at the moment, a centre-back trying a shot like that.

Simple enough. Corner delivered into the six-yard box, Gabriel rises highest to score.

Poor one to concede for Fulham. Gabriel scored a very similar goal here on his Premier League debut on Arsenal’s last league visit in 2020.

Trossard lofts a ball towards the back post for Martinelli. Robinson is there marking him, but fails to jump or really contest for the ball at all, leaving Martinelli with the simplest of headers for Arsenal’s second goal.

Arsenal play retain possession superbly, beat the Fulham press and then break clear. Trossard crosses for Martinelli who heads in. Not great defending at the back post there.

Think this could be a long afternoon for Fulham…

Solomon looks for De Cordova-Reid at the back post, but his cross is too strong to trouble Arsenal.

Still, that’s the closest Fulham have come to scoring so far.

Xhaka has a golden chance to add to Arsenal’s lead, but he makes a complete mess of his first touch alone in front of goal.

It was a brilliant dummy from him and pass from Trossard that isolated him in front of goal, but he should have shot first-time instead of trying to take the ball around Leno.

Trossard has a free shot in the middle of Arsenal’s box, but puts his effort just wide of the near post.

Arsenal are in complete control.

Ramsdale gives the ball away to Pereira in front of the Arsenal box. Pereira is forced wide and shoots at the empty net from a tight angle, but can’t hit the target.

That was a real lifeline for Fulham.

White finds Martinelli crashing the back post, but Leno does really well to get over and paw the ball away to safety with his hand.

Arsenal are running rampant! It’s Odegaard this time, receiving a cross from Trossard in the box, taking his time to create space and lashing the ball past Leno from close range.

This is a real statement of intent by Mikel Arteta’s men.

Immaculate touch, intelligent movement. Just the three assists.

What a signing he has been.

Immaculate touch, intelligent movement. Just the three assists.

What a signing he has been.

Fulham nearly score just 30 seconds into the second half!

Reed cuts a cross back for Pereira in the Arsenal box, who scuffs his shot wide of the target. Fulham clamor for a handball on Saliba’s trailing hand, but no luck.

First it was Saliba requiring some treatment for a clash of heads a few moments ago, and now it’s Ramsdale briefly staying down after colliding with Mitrovic.

Both are OK to play on.

Fulham more aggressive, more engaged at the start of this half. Arsenal will want to just take the sting out of this.

Mitrovic nearly gets a shot off from point-blank range, but Saliba does just enough to get a foot in and block his effort.

Gabriel Jesus is one of a few Arsenal substitutes who begin warming up.

Gabriel Jesus is one of a few Arsenal substitutes who begin warming up.

Pereira cuts inside of two defenders and hits a wild shot that flies well over the target.

Arsenal construct a beautiful team move than ends with Xhaka laying the ball off for Martinelli, who sees his shot blocked by a last-ditch tackle.

De Cordova-Reid hits a powerful strike towards the far post, but Ramsdale gets down really well to parry the ball away.

On an ensuing corner, Fulham get a free header but hit the bar!

Mikel Arteta makes two changes but it’s not time for Gabriel Jesus just yet, as Nelson replaces Saka and Tierney comes on for Zinchenko.

It was Mitrovic who hit the bar, who raises both arms in frustration afterwards. Inches away from a much needed goal, top effort that.

Odegaard harries Pereira and earns himself the first yellow card of the match.

Odegaard harries Pereira and earns himself the first yellow card of the match.

Trossard and Martinelli are replaced by Vieira and Jesus, who receives a warm reception from the travelling Arsenal fans as he makes his first appearance since the World Cup.

Tomiyasu comes on for White as Mikel Arteta makes his fifth and final sub.

A confident chant heard from the away end. Not only will this victory restore Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the table, but at the moment it has also reduced Manchester City’s advantage in goal difference to five, which could prove crucial at the end of the season…

It’s nearly a dream return for Jesus, who takes a lay off from Vieira and shoots but sees his effort blocked by Leno’s trailing leg.

Three minutes are added on to the end of the match. Arsenal look much the likelier side to score at this moment.