Arsenal moved six points ahead of Manchester City and widened their goal difference with a dominant 3-0 win over Fulham.
The Gunners scored all three of their goals in a fiery first half, with Victor Gyokeres scoring twice and Bukayo Saka also netting for his first start since the Carabao Cup final.
Arsenal came into the game after drawing 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, but Saka’s arrival produced a smooth attacking performance.
The winger set up Gyocerres’ close-range opener with a low cross past Raul Jimenez, then collected the striker’s pass and brilliantly finished Bernd Leno’s near post for the second.
Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s second goal.
Gyoceres, who scored Arsenal’s penalty against Atletico, headed in Leandro Trossar’s cross to add his second goal and 21st of the season.
A first-half goal allowed Mikel Arteta to dismiss Saka with the second leg against Atletico in mind on Tuesday, while Gyoceres was also given a break after being denied a hat-trick when Leno blocked a one-on-one opportunity just before the end.
Arsenal had the opportunity to add to their lead against a poor away side whose preparations for the match were affected by the virus. Gabriel had a close-range strike blocked on the line, Riccardo Calafiori hit the post and substitute Max Daumann fired wide.
However, the three-goal margin of victory is nonetheless one that has the potential to significantly increase their goal difference, and despite two games remaining they are now four goals ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who are six points behind.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Myles Lewis-Skelly recalls hugging Mikel Arteta at full-time after Arsenal’s win over Fulham and jokes with Paul Merson.
An eye-catching performance from academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly in his first senior start in his natural midfield position added another positive result for Arteta as fans inside the Emirates Stadium celebrated an important win in the title hunt.
WATCH: ALL GOALS
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Victor Gyokeres scored the first goal in the 9th minute of the first half.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Bukayo Saka ranks second in style for Arsenal.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Victor Gyocerres scored the third goal with a header from Leandro Trossar’s cross.
Analysis: Are Saka and Gyokeres unlocked?
Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres have failed to score a goal all season. 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 showed a cautious attitude towards Saka. There was a concerted effort to not hasten his recent injury setback. And that approach appears to have paid off. He looked sharp from the start of the game at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka celebrates with teammate Victor Gyokeres.
When asked at a press conference whether his Achilles tendon injury was completely resolved, Mikel Arteta said, “The pain seems to have gone.” “It was something that limited his ability to perform certain actions. Today he felt loose, he felt comfortable.”
He certainly looked like his old self when he fired past Raul Jimenez to give Gyoqueres the opener. His finish was vintage Saka as he fired towards the far post before scoring his second goal at Bernd Leno’s near post.
Coming out of Gyokeresu Pass added to the feeling of growing understanding. “Unfortunately we haven’t played much together because of injuries, but there was a lot of interaction today which I really enjoyed,” Arteta said.
Arteta: The team went a different way
arsenal boss Mikel Arteta He said at the press conference, “I am very satisfied with the team performance and individual performance.
“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 I don’t want to talk about it, I understand there’s a big game here in a few days.
“But we got some hunger and fresh legs from some players and the team went in a different way.
“We communicated with the supporters and when that happens it becomes very difficult for the opponents.
Gyocerres matches Sánchez’s feat
- Gyoceres becomes only the second Arsenal player this century to score more than 20 goals in all competitions in his debut season, and the first since Alexis Sanchez (25) in 2014/15.
- The striker was directly involved in three goals in an Arsenal game for the first time. He has scored and assisted both in a first half of the league for the first time since Sporting’s win over Farense in September 2023.
- At 24 years and 239 days old, Saka becomes the fourth youngest player to make 200 Premier League starts, after Gareth Barry (24 years and 38 days), Wayne Rooney (24 years and 76 days) and Rio Ferdinand (24 years and 163 days).
