Arsenal opened up a six-point lead over Manchester City and extended their goal difference with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Fulham.
Victor Gokeres scored two goals for the Gunners, while the returning Bukayo Saka also scored in his first start since the Carabao Cup final, scoring all three goals in a frantic first half.
Arsenal came into the match coming off a tough 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, but with Saka brought on, they produced a skilful attacking performance.
The winger scored the first goal after beating Raul Jiménez with a low cross past Goqueres at close range, and the second goal was brilliantly curled into Bernd Leno’s near post from the striker’s pass.
Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s second goal
Gokeres, who scored Arsenal’s penalty against Atlético, added his second goal, his 21st in all competitions, with a header from Leandro Trossard’s cross.
The half-time scoreline prompted Mikel Arteta to send Saka off ahead of Tuesday’s second leg against Atletico, but Gokeres was also given a rest just before the hour mark after Leno saved a one-on-one chance but was denied a hat-trick.
Arsenal had chances to extend their lead against a lackluster visiting side whose preparations were affected by the virus, but Gabriel’s close-range shot was blocked at the line, Riccardo Calafioli hit the bar and substitute Max Daumann sent his shot wide.
However, their victory by three goals still means they have the potential to significantly increase their goal difference, and although they have two games left, they currently have a four-goal lead over second-placed Manchester City, who are six points behind.
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Miles Lewis-Skelly reflects on his full-time hug with Mikel Arteta and jokes with Paul Merson after Arsenal’s win over Fulham
Academy graduate Miles Lewis-Skelly made his first senior start in his natural midfield role and put in an eye-catching performance, which was another positive for Arteta as fans inside the Emirates Stadium celebrated a vital victory in their title bid.
Attention: All goals
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Victor Gokeres scored the first goal in the 9th minute.
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Bukayo Saka brilliantly scores Arsenal’s second goal
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Victor Goqueres heads in Leandro Trossard’s cross for the third goal.
Analysis: Saka and Gyokeres unlocked?
Bukayo Saka and Victor Gokeres had not scored a single goal all season until the start of the game. They did it twice in 30 minutes against Fulham. The two have struggled to build chemistry on the field this season, but better late than never.
Arsenal are being cautious with Saka. Efforts have been made not to rush his return from recent injury setbacks. And this approach appears to be working. His expression was sharp from the start of the match at Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka celebrates with teammate Victor Gokeres
“I think the pain is gone,” Mikel Arteta said at a press conference when asked if his Achilles injury has completely healed. “That limited his ability to perform certain actions. Today he was relaxed and relaxed.”
He certainly looked like his old self when he beat Raul Jimenez to score the opening goal for Goqueres. The second goal, a shot aimed at the far post before hitting Bernd Leno’s near post, was vintage Saka.
The fact that it came from Gökeres Pass further strengthened the sense that understanding was being built. “Unfortunately, because of our injuries, they haven’t played together that much, but there was a lot of really fun interaction today,” Arteta said.
Arteta: “The flow of the team has changed”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said in a press conference: “I’m very happy with the team’s performance and the individual performances.
“We knew how difficult it would be, especially coming back from Madrid late on a Thursday afternoon and the energy we put into the game.
“And even if you don’t want to talk about it, understand that we have a big game here in the next few days.
“But we had a hungry spirit and some fresh legs from some players. The team had a different flow.
“We worked with our supporters, but then it becomes very difficult for our opponents.
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Jamie Redknapp and Paul Merson look ahead to the remaining games between Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race
Silva: “There’s no excuse because of the virus”
Fulham manager Marco Silva said at a press conference: “The virus broke out on the training ground. Some of our players and staff also started contracting the virus.”
“I don’t want to start the press conference like this because it looks like an excuse, but it’s been a complicated week for us.
“We’ve had this strange week for ourselves, apart from our big players who are out with injuries. That’s the way it is. We started with 11 men, but that’s not the reason why we weren’t at the level we should have been in the first half.”
“We have made life too easy for Arsenal.”
Goqueres takes on the feat of Sanchez
Gokeres became the second Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals in all competitions in his debut season this century, and the first since Alexis Sanchez (25 goals) in 2014-15. The striker was directly involved in three goals in a match for Arsenal for the first time. This is the first time he has scored and provided an assist in the first half of a league match since his time with Sporting against Farense in September 2023. At 24 years and 239 days old, Saka has started 200 Premier League games, making him the fourth youngest player to do so after Gareth Barry (24 years and 38 days), Wayne Rooney (24 years and 76 days) and Rio Ferdinand (24 years and 163 days). day).
