PL MatchDay 1 : Fulham vs Arsenal Match Report

Arsenal kick off the PL with a resounding 3 goal victory over Fulham (0-3)

It would not be wrong to say that newly promoted teams have a knack for announcing themselves with a bang. Teams like Wolves and Sheffield United showed last season that they can compete with the big boys. Saturday’s performance from Fulham showed similar sparks of energy with their nifty passing and some darting runs, but it was the Gunners that stole the show.

Recent victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield had left Arsenal on a high and you could see, the confidence showed. Willian and Gabriel got to start, with Leno back as GK and Lacazette through the middle. Fulham went with a team selected like that in the Championship with Mitrovic on the bench.

It didn’t take long for Fulham to get their first chance of the game after Maitland-Niles’ errant back-pass was left by Gabriel for Leno and Kebano almost pounced on the opportunity with Leno having to make a good save. Fulham were starting to build good momentum with Odoi extracting another save from the Arsenal keeper, but it was Arsenal who scored with Lacazette getting a scrappy goal in the 8th minute. Ream was unable to sort out his feet to clear Xhaka’s blocked shot, which came to Willian whose shot was saved by Rodak, only to reach the feet of Lacazette who put it in the back of the net.

From here on Arsenal shifted to high gear as Willian hit the post with his free kick and Aubameyang had a few chances. Fulham did look threatening on occasion with Odoi making dangerous runs but his crosses just whizzed past with no Fulham attacker managing to get on the end of them.

Early into the second half , 48’, Holding conjured up a Henry-esque display, juggling the ball over his feet to earn a corner which was coolly headed in by Gabriel, getting a goal on his debut.

Embed from Getty Images

This was followed up 9 minutes later with a classic Arsenal counterattack with Willian playing advantage and lofting a crossfield pass for Aubameyang who whipped a brilliant right footed shot into the far corner.

For the rest of the game, Arsenal looked comfortable in possession. Fulham brought on Mitrovic, but chances fell to the away team, who were able to see out the game with a clean sheet.

For Arsenal, it is a great start to a season where they need to rebuild and try to get back into top 4, for Fulham it is a rude awakening to the challenges that plagued them two seasons ago.


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