Arsenal maintained their status at the top of the Premier League with a gritty 1-0 victory over London rivals Fulham on Saturday. The decisive moment came shortly before the hour mark when Leandro Trossard capitalized on a corner kick, turning in a flick-on from Gabriel Magalhaes who adeptly redirected Bukayo Saka’s delivery from a set piece.
This win was particularly significant for Mikel Arteta’s men, especially after being temporarily dethroned from the top spot by Manchester City, who earlier secured a win against Everton. The Gunners have 19 points from eight matches, placing them three points ahead of City, while Liverpool trails by four points, highlighting the competitive nature of this Premier League season.
Despite their dominance in terms of possession, Arsenal struggled initially and had a first-half goal from Riccardo Calafiori disallowed for offside. A second penalty awarded to Arsenal in the second half was overturned by VAR after a review determined that Fulham’s Kevin had made contact with the ball.
Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, made life difficult for Arsenal, failing to register a single shot on target throughout the match. This statistic marks the first instance since Arsenal’s last title-winning season in 2003-04 where they have kept two successive league clean sheets, showcasing a resilient defensive effort.
Following the game, Saka acknowledged the importance of the victory, saying, “We didn’t start the game as we expected, but we have the experience now.” He revealed that securing points in such matches was a shift from their previous seasons.
Arteta expressed satisfaction with the result, noting, “Never easy. You need to get everyone aligned and up to speed to come to a difficult place.” He emphasized the importance of these points and remarked on the improvements from past visits to Fulham’s ground.
As Arsenal continues to forge ahead in the title race, this win not only boosts their morale but also signifies their capacity to overcome challenges. The Gunners will be looking to build on this success as they face tough fixtures ahead, aiming to secure their place at the summit of the league and potentially making a strong push for the championship.
With the season still in its early stages, fans can view this victory as a promising indicator of Arsenal’s potential to compete for top honors once again in the Premier League.
Leave a comment