Fulham 0-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners secure huge victory at Craven Cottage

Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Fulham to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Mikel Arteta opted to make just the one change to the side that defeated West Ham before the international break, bringing in Martín Zubimendi for the injured Martin Ødegaard.

Raul Jimenez went close to putting the hosts ahead after 10 minutes when he shot across David Raya's goal, only to see the Spaniard keep it out. The Gunners then thought they had taken the lead minutes after through a Riccardo Calafiori wonder strike. The Italian met a lay off from Leandro Trossard and fired into the top corner, but the flag went up for offside.

Both sides continued to press and Fulham almost nicked the opener in accidental circumstances. Ryan Sessegnon chipped a cross into the box and it looked to be ending up in the net, but Raya managed to recover and tip it over the bar.

Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice both went close to putting Arsenal ahead late in the first half, but neither could find the back of the net, meaning it was all square at the break.

The Gunners finally broke the deadlock just before the hour mark and it came in usual fashion through a corner. Gabriel flicked on the cross for Trossard to knock it in at the back post and put his side ahead.

Bukayo Saka almost doubled Arsenal's advantage soon after with a marauding run that saw him beat multiple defenders before shooting, only to see his effort kept out by Bernd Leno. The winger then won his side a penalty after being brought down by Kevin, but the decision was ultimately reversed by VAR.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli nearly made it two in fantastic fashion when he met Jurrien Timber's cross with an acrobatic effort that was blocked. VAR did check for a penalty from two separate events in the passage of play, but both were waved away.

After nine minutes of added time, Arsenal secured the win to go three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City at the top of the table. The Gunners turn their attention to the Champions League for now as they host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their win over Fulham.

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Dealt with the shots he faced and did well to prevent Sessegnon opening the scoring from a miscued cross.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - 8/10 - Got up the pitch well and looked to cause problems in attack. Made some good overlapping runs and also broke into the box on numerous occasions. Did his defensive work brilliantly as always.

William Saliba (CB) - 7/10 - Solid at the back and helped his side keep a clean sheet amid plenty of pressure from Fulham.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7/10 - Just as solid as his defensive partner and got involved in attack as he assisted Trossard's goal with a flick-on from a corner.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 7.5/10 - Played the inverted role really well and thought he had put his side ahead with a wonder strike only to see it ruled out for offside. Went close with two more ambitious efforts.

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