Fulham 0-3 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners dazzle in west London

Arsenal dazzled in west London as they put three past Fulham in a comfortable win that saw them re-establish their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points.

Man City mounted the pressure on the Gunners with their 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening, but Mikel Arteta’s side responded in some style.

The league leaders purred at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon and took a 3-0 lead into half-time thanks to goals from Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Odegaard with Leandro Trossard teeing up all three.

The hosts came back at the Gunners in the second period and created a host of chances that weren’t taken with Aaron Ramsdale making a couple of excellent saves to preserve his clean sheet. With their three-goal lead intact, Mikel Arteta opted to give Gabriel Jesus a run out as he earned his first Premier League minutes since November.

The Brazilian almost celebrated his return with a goal, but he was denied by Bernd Leno when set up by fellow substitute Fabio Vieira. Nevertheless, his comeback is huge for the Gunners, who re-established their five-point lead at the top with this win.

Fulham 0-3 Arsenal player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their victory at Fulham.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 6.5/10 – Clean sheet and made a couple of big saves in the second half. Wasn’t too clever with his feet at times, though.

Ben White (RB) – 6/10 – White had a tricky assignment in the form of Manor Soloman, but his afternoon was pretty quiet as Fulham struggled to get their live wire into the game down the left.

William Saliba (CB) – 8/10 – Saliba may not have got on the scoresheet like his partner, but this was nonetheless an excellent defensive performance. Marshalled Aleksandar Mitrovic very well and made some timely interventions in the box. Flawless with the ball.

Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – Gabriel’s got a thing for the Cottagers, I think. After scoring in the reverse fixture, the Brazilian opened the scoring on Sunday afternoon.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 6/10 – This was a rare outing where Zinchenko didn’t stand out. With much of Arsenal’s good work coming out of possession and in transition, there wasn’t much opportunity for Zinchenko’s technical quality to manifest.

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Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – 8/10 – Arsenal’s midfield guardian was at his best. Constantly broke up play and played a key role in backing up the Gunners’ press. As good as Jorginho’s been, they’re a different beast with Partey at the base.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 8/10 – Xhaka’s performance will probably go under the radar, but I think this was his best showing of the calendar year. Showed a great understanding of his teammates’ positioning and movement with some delightful flicks and dummies. Should’ve capped off a scintillating move in the first half.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – 7/10 – Grew into the game after a slow start and took his goal wonderfully well.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 5.5/10 – Saka was left on the periphery while his teammates starred in attack.

Leandro Trossard (ST) – 9/10 – Wow. Wow. Wow. What a signing! The Belgian was simply unplayable in west London as he notched three assists in Arsenal’s triumph. Masterful work off both feet throughout the contest, with his delivery into the box superb.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 8.5/10 – Martinelli’s energy was contagious and Fulham simply couldn’t cope. Will be disappointed by his final third inefficiency, but he created so many chances for himself.

Substitutes

Kieran Tierney – 5/10

Reiss Nelson – 6/10

Gabriel Jesus – 6/10

Takehiro Tomiyasu – 5/10

Fabio Vieira – 6/10