Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Saka and Gyokeres Drive Gunners Closer to Glory

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, offered evidence of a striker growing into Arsenal’s rhythms.

The last Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals in his debut season was Alexis Sanchez in 2014-15. That is not a trivial comparison. For all the discussion around aesthetics, fit and adaptation, Gyokeres is doing the thing Arsenal bought him to do.

Arteta also deserves credit for trusting Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield. The 19-year-old looked composed, while Arsenal’s attack, with Saka, Calafiori and Eberechi Eze involved, carried more invention than it has in recent weeks.

Fulham fall short in Europe chase

Fulham, meanwhile, produced a performance that will frustrate Marco Silva. They were pinned back for much of the first half and offered too little in response. An xG of 0.43 and only one shot on target told its own story.

Victory would have taken Fulham level with sixth-placed Brentford on 51 points. Instead, they remain 10th, with their European hopes damaged by a night when Arsenal looked sharper, stronger and far closer to history.

Arsenal are now three league games from a first title in 22 years. A Champions League final could yet follow. For Fulham, improvement must come quickly.