Trossard clinches win for Arsenal over Fulham to extend lead by three points

Arsenal secured a three-point advantage at the summit of the Premier League with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Fulham on Saturday.

The Belgian attacker Leandro Trossard notched his inaugural league strike of the campaign during the latter stages at Craven Cottage.

This result marked Arsenal's fifth consecutive success across all tournaments and prolonged their unbeaten streak to eight outings.

Following Liverpool's back-to-back setbacks that dislodged the title holders from contention, bookmakers now favour Arsenal to claim the Premier League crown.

Earlier that day, Manchester City's 2-0 success versus Everton momentarily propelled them ahead of Mikel Arteta's team into the top position.

However, the north London outfit reclaimed the lead with a solid yet unremarkable display along the River Thames.

Arsenal have triumphed in six of their opening eight league fixtures this term while pursuing their first English championship since 2004.

Fulham came close to an initial breakthrough when Harry Wilson's clever back-heel found Raul Jimenez, though the forward's attempt was repelled by Arsenal custodian David Raya.

Capitalising on an errant clearance from Gabriel Magalhaes, Wilson nearly scored with a curling effort that skimmed wide of the upright.

Riccardo Calafiori believed he had opened the scoring unexpectedly, but his fine effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Wilson came perilously close with a low shot from distance that Raya barely diverted, while Josh King's delivery compelled the goalkeeper to palm the ball clear.

Latching onto Bukayo Saka's through-ball, Viktor Gyokeres was thwarted by a fine stop from Fulham's Bernd Leno, extending the forward's barren spell to seven matches.

Calafiori blazed a volley high from 18 yards, and Declan Rice skewed his effort astray right before the interval.

Trossard's mishit from near the goal was swiftly followed by a vital block on the line from Timothy Castagne, heightening Arsenal's mounting irritation.

Arteta's squad almost suffered for their profligacy when Wilson unleashed a powerful volley that sailed just over the crossbar.

Yet with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, a prominent Arsenal supporter, observing from the terraces, the Gunners at last found joy in the 58th minute.

Arsenal's expertise in set-pieces paid off crucially, as Gabriel nodded on Saka's corner for Trossard to finish at point-blank range.

Since the onset of the 2023-24 season, Arsenal have netted 37 times from corners in the Premier League.

The initiative shifted firmly to the visitors, with Saka weaving past Fulham's backline before prompting a sharp reflex save from Leno.

Arsenal were refused a spot-kick after Kevin's foul on Saka was first awarded, only for referee Anthony Taylor to reverse the call post-VAR, confirming the Brazilian defender's boot struck the ball cleanly.

Gyokeres tallied 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon, yet the Swedish marksman has managed only three strikes since joining Arsenal.

His struggles persisted as he wasted a golden chance by firing over, then aimed directly at Leno, but the hosts had secured sufficient to advance their championship aspirations.