Arsenal temporarily narrowed the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool with a commanding 2-0 win over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, extending their unbeaten home league record against the Cottagers to 32 matches (W25, D7). The victory keeps Mikel Arteta�s side in the title race, as they look to overturn a 12-point deficit to Liverpool with no margin for error in their pursuit of a first Premier League crown in over 20 years.
The Gunners signaled their intent from the opening whistle, dominating early possession. Gabriel Martinelli�s burst of pace down the left flank created an early chance, but Thomas Partey fired the cutback high and wide. Arsenal�s momentum was briefly disrupted on the 15-minute mark when Gabriel Magalhaes limped off with a suspected hamstring injury, a blow to Arteta�s defensive plans.
However, the mood lifted when Bukayo Saka, sidelined since December, emerged to warm up, signaling his return to the matchday squad. The game appeared to lose its spark momentarily, with neither side producing much quality, until Arsenal broke the deadlock just before halftime. Ethan Nwaneri surged down the right and picked out Mikel Merino, who took a touch before unleashing a deflected strike past a wrong-footed Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal.
Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, struggled to impose themselves in the first half, failing to register a single shot on target. Arsenal resumed their dominance after the break, targeting the flanks once more. Martinelli teed up captain Martin Odegaard, but the Norwegian blazed over, while Jurri�n Timber went close after a slick one-two with Odegaard, only for Leno to deny him at the near post.
The visitors finally tested Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya within 10 minutes of the restart, but Raul Jimenez�s effort was comfortably parried away. The Emirates erupted around the hour mark as Saka entered the fray for his first appearance of 2025�and the England star wasted no time making his mark. Merino�s cross was flicked on by Martinelli, and Saka nodded in at the far post to double Arsenal�s lead.
Fulham sought a response through substitutions, with Rodrigo Muniz nearly pulling one back, only to head wide from six yards in a glaring miss. Arsenal, however, remained in control, seeing out the game with ease to secure their first head-to-head victory over Fulham in four meetings. The clean sheet marked their 18th of the season across all competitions, underlining their defensive solidity.
For Arsenal, the win offers a glimmer of hope in their title chase, though they remain reliant on Liverpool dropping points. Fulham, meanwhile, shift their focus to securing a European spot after their FA Cup exit, sitting just two points behind sixth-placed Newcastle United.
Arteta praised his team�s resilience: �We showed character today, especially after losing Gabriel early. Saka�s return is a massive boost for us.� Silva, reflecting on Fulham�s performance, lamented their lack of cutting edge: �We needed more in the final third, but Arsenal were clinical.� The Gunners� march continues, with Saka�s return adding fresh impetus to their campaign.
