Match Summary: Arsenal's Clinical Edge Proves Decisive
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to three points after Leandro Trossard's second-half goal fired Mikel Arteta's side to a 1-0 victory at Fulham. The Belgian's crucial intervention came at a pivotal moment, demonstrating once again the Gunners' lethal prowess from set-pieces in what was otherwise a tightly-contested London derby under the Craven Cottage lights.
The decisive moment arrived in the 58th minute through a familiar route for Arsenal this season. Following a devilish inswinging corner from Saka, Gabriel rose highest to get the flick on, and Trossard did the rest from close range. It was the Belgian's third goal of the season, and yet another from a corner for us – the 37th in the Premier League since the start of the 2023/24 season.
The match wasn't without its drama. Anthony Taylor wasted no time in pointing to the spot but VAR adjudged Kevin took the ball before taking out the man. Taylor headed over to his pitch-side monitor and overruled his decision. A lifeline for Fulham. This contentious VAR intervention denied Arsenal the opportunity to double their advantage and kill the game, leaving the visitors to navigate a nervy finale.
Fulham have been hard to beat on home turf this season, having dropped just two points prior to Saturday's contest under the lights, while Arsenal have failed to win on their previous two visits here. Marco Silva's side started brightly, with Harry Wilson proving a constant menace down the flanks, dragging two early efforts wide of David Raya's post whilst Josh King tested the Arsenal goalkeeper with a disguised cross-shot.
Tactical Analysis: Arsenal's Set-Piece Mastery Overcomes Fulham's Defensive Structure
Mikel Arteta deployed his favoured 4-3-3 formation, with new signing Viktor Gyökeres leading the line in what was a challenging evening for the Swedish striker. Arsenal (4-3-3): David Raya - Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori - Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice - Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres, Leandro Trossard. The inclusion of Martin Zubimendi in the holding midfield role provided additional defensive stability, crucial in managing Fulham's counter-attacking threats.
Marco Silva's Fulham lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system, designed to frustrate Arsenal's possession play whilst exploiting the pace of Wilson and Iwobi on the flanks. The home side's game plan initially worked to perfection, creating several promising opportunities in the opening half-hour through direct, vertical play that bypassed Arsenal's press.
Arsenal dominated possession with 63% compared to Fulham's 37%, reflecting their control over the game's tempo. The Gunners also had more corners, with 10 to Fulham's 6, indicating their greater threat from set pieces. This statistical dominance in dead-ball situations proved decisive, with Arsenal's seventh corner goal of the season maintaining their position as the Premier League's most dangerous side from set-pieces.
The tactical battle intensified after Arsenal's goal, with Silva introducing attacking reinforcements in Kevin and later Adama Traoré. Fulham were intent to soak up Arsenal's pressure and hit the visitors on the break, and Wilson's volley from Alex Iwobi's cross on the counter after 55 minutes provided the home support with hope. However, Arsenal's defensive organisation, marshalled brilliantly by William Saliba and Gabriel, proved impenetrable.
Arteta's substitutions demonstrated tactical intelligence, with Mikel Merino replacing Eberechi Eze to provide additional midfield control, whilst Gabriel Martinelli's introduction for goalscorer Trossard added fresh pace to Arsenal's counter-attacking threat in the closing stages.
Key Players: Individual Brilliance in a Collective Performance
Leandro Trossard emerged as the match-winner with his crucial goal, breaking a lengthy goal drought in the process. Leandro Trossard has been involved in seven goals across his last 12 games for us in all competitions (3 goals, 4 assists), with this his first goal in nine starts since April last season against Crystal Palace. His intelligent movement at the back post exemplified the rehearsed patterns that have become Arsenal's trademark this season.
Gabriel Magalhães continued his exceptional form with another dominant defensive display whilst contributing crucially to the winning goal. His flick-on from Saka's corner demonstrated the Brazilian's dual threat, equally comfortable defending his own box as attacking the opposition's.
David Raya produced another assured performance between the posts, recording his fifth clean sheet in ten matches. The clean sheet is David Raya's 54th in the Premier League (34 with Arsenal, 20 with Brentford) – it's the outright most since his first season in the competition in 2021/22. His distribution and command of his area proved vital in managing Fulham's direct approach.
For Fulham, Harry Wilson's energetic display deserved better reward. The Welshman created numerous opportunities with his direct running and movement but lacked the clinical edge required at this level. Bernd Leno, facing his former club, produced several crucial saves to keep his side in contention, particularly denying Gyökeres twice in the closing stages.
Viktor Gyökeres endured a frustrating evening, extending his goal drought to seven matches despite several promising opportunities. With 10 minutes left Gyökeres blazed over from close range and, in nine minutes of added-on time, was denied by Leno for a second time on the night as his now seven-match wait for a goal goes on. The Swedish striker's profligacy nearly proved costly but Arsenal's defensive resilience ensured the three points.
Statistics and Data: Numbers Tell the Story
| Statistic | Fulham | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 37 | 63 |
| Total Shots | 10 | 15 |
| Shots on Target | 0 | 4 |
| Corners | 6 | 10 |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 80 | 87 |
| Successful Dribbles (%) | 60 | 71 |
| xG (Expected Goals) | 0.82 | 1.43 |
This was the first time since November 2003 that we didn't face a shot on target in successive Premier League games, with the second game on that occasion also against Fulham. This remarkable defensive statistic underlines Arsenal's improved solidity, with Arteta's side combining attacking threat with defensive discipline.
We have scored more goals from corners (7) than any other side in the Premier League this season, with this our 63rd since the start of 2021/22, no other side has more than 47. This set-piece dominance has become Arsenal's calling card, providing a reliable source of goals in tight encounters.
Impact on the Premier League Table and Title Race
However, despite the contentious decision, the north London side were able to see out the slender victory to move clear of second-placed Manchester City. This crucial three-point haul extends Arsenal's advantage at the summit, piling pressure on their title rivals ahead of their respective fixtures.
We have as many as 19 points from our opening eight Premier League games of a season for the third time in the last four campaigns – of the eight previous instances in the competition we've had 19+ points at this stage, we've won the title only once (2003/04). This historical context adds intrigue to Arsenal's title challenge, with the Gunners seeking to end their 22-year wait for Premier League glory.
For Fulham, this result represents a concerning slide in form. Fulham have lost three successive Premier League games for the first time since Boxing Day 2023, while it's their first home defeat of 2025/26. Marco Silva's side now sit 14th with 8 points, requiring an immediate response to arrest their decline and avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
Looking ahead, Arsenal face Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday before returning to Premier League action. Their ability to maintain this momentum whilst juggling European commitments will prove crucial in sustaining their title challenge. Meanwhile, Fulham must regroup quickly ahead of their clash with Newcastle United, another side struggling for consistency this season.
The psychological impact of this victory cannot be understated. Arsenal have demonstrated their ability to win ugly - a hallmark of championship-winning sides. Their resilience in navigating a hostile environment, controversial decisions, and a spirited Fulham performance showcases the maturity and mental fortitude Arteta has instilled in this squad.
Fan and Media Reaction: Mixed Emotions at Craven Cottage
The Arsenal faithful celebrated wildly at the final whistle, with chants of "One-nil to the Arsenal" echoing around Craven Cottage. Social media erupted with praise for Trossard's impact and Arsenal's set-piece prowess, though some supporters expressed concern over Gyökeres' continued goal drought.
Arteta, who was visibly frustrated on the touchline, said: "I was getting animated because it was taking so long. "I asked Anthony [referee] 'why it was taking so long.' It was nothing to do with the process, it was just that the screen wasn't working. "It probably wasn't a penalty so they made the right decision in the end, and I was just animated because of the process."
Fulham supporters, whilst disappointed with the result, acknowledged their team's spirited performance against the league leaders. The Craven Cottage faithful showed appreciation for their side's effort, particularly in the first half when they troubled Arsenal's defence repeatedly.
Pundits highlighted Arsenal's ability to find different ways to win, with their set-piece threat providing a reliable Plan B when open play proves challenging. The consensus amongst media observers was that Arsenal's experience and quality ultimately made the difference in a closely-contested encounter.
The VAR controversy dominated post-match discussions, with debates raging over the consistency of decision-making. However, most agreed that Kevin's touch on the ball justified the reversal, even if the process and delay frustrated both sets of supporters.
Conclusion: Arsenal's Title Credentials Strengthened
Arsenal's narrow victory at Craven Cottage epitomises the grit and determination required to mount a serious Premier League title challenge. This premier league match football demonstrated that championships are often won through marginal gains - a set-piece here, a defensive block there - rather than spectacular performances every week.
Trossard's match-winning contribution from the bench underlines Arsenal's squad depth, whilst their defensive solidity suggests a team built for the long haul. Arsenal recorded a third consecutive league win, and fifth across all competitions, as they bid to end their 22-year wait for English football's biggest prize.
The Gunners have passed another crucial test in their quest for Premier League glory. With Manchester City and Liverpool both facing challenging fixtures this weekend, Arsenal have seized the initiative in what promises to be a captivating title race. For Arteta's men, the journey continues, but nights like these - grinding out results when not at their fluent best - could prove decisive come May.
Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid and continued analysis of the Premier League title race. Will the Gunners maintain their momentum? Only time will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Fulham and Arsenal?
The match ended 0-1 to Arsenal, with Leandro Trossard scoring the only goal in the 58th minute from a corner kick.
How did Arsenal score their goal?
Arsenal scored from a corner kick routine. Bukayo Saka delivered an in-swinging corner, Gabriel Magalhães flicked it on, and Leandro Trossard bundled it home at the back post.
Was there any VAR controversy in the match?
Yes, Arsenal were awarded a penalty when Bukayo Saka was brought down by substitute Kevin, but VAR overturned the decision after replays showed the defender got a touch on the ball first.
What does this result mean for the Premier League table?
The victory moved Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League table with 19 points from 8 matches, ahead of Manchester City in second place.