3 standout players from emphatic win over Fulham

3. Leandro Trossard

With three assists in the first half, who else could be the standout player against Fulham? Leandro Trossard was central to everything Arsenal did in attack. He dropped deep to overload the midfield. He interchanged frequently with Gabriel Martinelli; dribbling at defenders before crossing or getting a shot off. He even took corners, recording his first assist through that avenue.

What has impressed fans the most is Trossard’s ability to make everyone around him better. He fits the false nine profile like a glove, putting others in positions to score. His assists were all well-taken, but beyond that, he set up the likes of Xhaka and Bukayo Saka to get shots off. The attack is fluid with him in the lineup.

Trossard is also exceptionally direct. As soon as he receives the ball, he looks to drive at the opposition’s backline. While Arsenal’s play in and around the box used to be slow and hesitant, with critics accusing them of trying to walk the ball into the net too often, the Belgian speeds up play. This urgency allows him to exploit openings that would disappear if he took too long to make a decision.

Such has been Trossard’s impact that Gabriel Jesus does not walk back into the starting lineup. This is a selection headache for Arteta, to be sure, but a welcome headache indeed.

Arsenal dominated Fulham, carving them open whenever they wanted. Almost every player seems to be in good form and while some were not as effective as they would have liked to be, the squad as a whole performed. When one player falters, others step up to contribute. This is a testament to the squad building conducted by Arteta and co. Everything seems to be working for Arteta and he will hope they continue to do so. 11 games to go.