Arsenal seize control at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal took another significant step towards the Premier League title with a commanding 3-0 win over Fulham at Emirates Stadium, moving six points clear at the top and placing fresh pressure on Manchester City.
This was the kind of evening title challenges are built upon. Not dramatic, not frantic, not reliant on late rescue acts, but calm, controlled and ruthless. Arsenal sensed an opportunity and took it with the air of a side beginning to understand the weight of its own possibilities.
Bukayo Saka, restored to the starting line-up after his Achilles injury, needed only nine minutes to remind everyone of his importance. He eased past Raul Jimenez on the right and delivered a precise ball for Viktor Gyokeres, who tapped in his 20th goal of the season.
Saka returns with authority
There was something quietly emphatic about Saka’s performance. His first start since March could have carried rust, caution or hesitation. Instead, it brought fluency. Five minutes before half-time, Gyokeres returned the favour, slipping the ball into Saka, who curled a low finish beyond Bernd Leno at the near post.
That goal seemed to drain whatever resistance Fulham had left. In first-half stoppage time, Gyokeres rose to meet Leandro Trossard’s cross and headed home Arsenal’s third. By then, the contest had become less a match than a statement.
Riccardo Calafiori almost added another, heading against the crossbar after earlier seeing a strike ruled out for offside. Arsenal had the game won before the interval, allowing Mikel Arteta to withdraw Saka at half-time and protect other key players before Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, finely balanced at 1-1.
Gyokeres answers familiar questions
Gyokeres has not escaped scrutiny since arriving from Sporting, yet 21 goals in all competitions represents a serious return. His double against Fulham, allied to his strong midweek display against Atletico,…
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