Arsenal vs Fulham match review


Arsenal stormed to a 5-1 victory against London rivals Fulham as braces for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette gave them an emphatic victory at Craven Cottage for a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions.

The game started off brightly and evenly, with both teams getting time on the ball yet neither creating clear cut chances, until Fulham were caught on the counter attack by Arsenal in the 29th minute, where Alex Iwobi fed Nacho Monreal who put the ball across the box into Lacazette’s feet, who took a phenomenal touch that took him away from his  before firing the ball into the near corner with an excellent finish, wrongfooting keeper Marcus Bettinelli. Arsenal started to take control of the game, looking comfortable on the ball and moving it forward quickly, but one sloppy pass from Nacho Monreal meant that Fulham had a route back into the game, with Luciano Vietto playing an inch perfect through ball to Andre Schurrle, who expertly lifted the ball over the onrushing Berndt Leno to go level again

After the break however, Fulham had no answer to Arsenals forwards, with Lacazette turning his man and hitting into the near post from 20 yards out with a good finish. Bettinelli had been having a good game but would’ve been disappointed with his inability to save this one, getting beaten at his near post. The third goal was reminiscent of the Arsenal of old. The goal started off at Leno’s feet with 18 passes from there to the final finish. There was an array of flicks, one touch passing and brilliantly timed runs, all started by the goal scorer Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman flicked it onto Bellerin who excellently flicked it back to Ramsey, who proceeded to heading it onto Iwobi, who set through Aubameyang who put in an excellent ball across, where Ramsey backheeled the ball into the far corner for a goal of the season contender and a two goal cushion.

Aubameyang’s impact off the bench proved invaluable, as he went on to score two goals himself. He slotted the ball into the bottom corner for his first with an excellent finish before Arsenal carved Fulham open for a final time, with Aubameyang placing the ball in the corner once more to get Arsenal’s 5th of the afternoon.

What did the game teach us?
This was Arsenal’s 9th consecutive victory, highlighting their improvement since Unai Emery took over as Arsenal manager. The attacking display was quite frankly breath taking, with Lacazette and Aubameyang both impressing. The togetherness in the Gunners team now is much more evident than it has been in years. For the 5th goal to celebration was a team huddle, highlighting the impact on the players happiness since replacing Arsene Wenger. The players are far more confident now, the improvements for players such as Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck have been extraordinary. Both have played a key role in Arsenal’s improvement this season and will no doubt continue too for the remainder of the season.

Who impressed?

Obviously lacazette and Aubameyang impressed, but other players such as Iwobi and Welbeck were very important in victory. These players looked so confident on the ball, constantly driving forward and creating chances. Lucas Torreira is already a fan favourite, getting a chant from the fans that was the same for Patrick Vieira, highlighting how important he has become in Arsenal’s success. He made 6 interceptions and 8 recoveries at the weekend. He provides a barrier in front of the Arsenal defence, making it much harder for opposition sides to penetrate Arsenal’s goal. Him and Granit Xhaka are proving to be a very good pivot in Arsenal’s midfield and provide a perfect balance.

Player ratings:


 Fulham: Bettinelli (7), Christie (5), Odoi (4), Ream (5), Le Marchand (5), Seri (6), Anguissa (6), Vietto (7), Schurrle (7), Ryan Sessegnon (5), Mitrovic (5).

Subs: Kamara (6), McDonald (5), Johansen (N/A).

Arsenal: Leno (8), Bellerin (8), Holding (7), Mustafi (7), Monreal (8), Torreira (8), Xhaka (7), Mkhitaryan (8), Iwobi (8), Welbeck (8), Lacazette (9)

Subs: Aubameyang (9), Ramsey (8), Guendouzi (N/A).

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