Arsenal had been made to work for it, however Leandro Trossard’s second-half strike was sufficient to safe a hard-fought 1-0 win at Fulham, retaining Mikel Arteta’s aspect high of the Premier League.
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There was nothing straightforward about it, however Arsenal discovered a manner. On a sluggish afternoon at Craven Cottage, Mikel Arteta’s aspect did simply sufficient to safe a 1-0 win over Fulham, sustaining their place on the high of the Premier League regardless of a efficiency that bore all of the indicators of a squad feeling the results of a the second worldwide break.
Leandro Trossard’s end from a Bukayo Saka nook settled a recreation that not often got here to life. Arsenal had been laboured, quick on sharpness and rhythm, however ruthless when it mattered. The Belgian’s objective, kneed in at shut vary, made him the tenth completely different participant to attain for Arsenal within the league this season. By comparability, Erling Haaland has scored 11 of Manchester Metropolis’s 17.
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They thought they’d taken the lead within the first half when Riccardo Calafiori crashed dwelling an outstanding strike, just for the offside flag to halt the celebrations. The disallowed objective proved emblematic of a day the place Arsenal’s endurance was examined as a lot as their potential to interrupt down a low block.
With Martin Ødegaard sidelined by a knee harm, Martin Zubimendi stepped into midfield alongside Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze, however the absence of their captain’s invention was apparent. Arsenal managed possession but with Eze quieter than normal, Ødegaard’s potential to unpick a low block was missed.
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There was extra frustration when Anthony Taylor awarded Arsenal a penalty, solely to overturn it on VAR evaluation. Taylor was persuaded by Stuart Attwell {that a} defender’s faint contact of the ball meant no foul had been dedicated on Bukayo Saka. It was an odd interpretation, provided that no such rule exists, however one which Howard Webb will little question defend on Sky Sports activities’ on Monday whereas Gary Neville nods alongside.
Taylor then added 9 minutes of stoppage time, largely because of reviewing his “clear and apparent” error.
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Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno produced a pair of sharp saves to disclaim Viktor Gyökeres, retaining Fulham within the contest. However Arsenal’s defensive was as unyielding as ever. The hosts did not register a single shot on track, the second successive match during which Arsenal have restricted their opponents to none.
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It was not an announcement efficiency, nevertheless it was an announcement lead to a recreation Arsenal dropped factors in final season.
Arsenal have conceded simply three targets in eight league matches, three fewer than some other workforce, and solely Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea have scored extra.
For all of the discuss of Arsenal missing innovative, the proof factors to a aspect that is aware of win when not at their finest.
When the assault actually clicks, the remainder of the league must be apprehensive.