Fulham 0-3 Arsenal: Leandro Trossard makes Premier League history as Gunners cruise to routine victory

After the visitors saw Antonee Robinson’s goal ruled out by VAR, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard scored first-half goals as Mikel Arteta’s side ran out of comfortable winners in the west of London.

Such an impressive performance, admittedly against a Fulham side missing the combative Joao Palhinha, following a grueling trip to Sporting on Thursday is nothing short of a statement.

Rarely has a team had to balance a Europa League campaign with attempts to win in the Premier League, but the Gunners have certainly passed their test on that front with flying colors.

In truth, the 3-0 scoreline flattered the hosts at half-time.

Where last week’s victory over Bournemouth proved as dramatic as it comes, there was calm assurance about Arteta’s side all afternoon, which the excellent Leandro Trossard illustrated best.

The Belgian became the first player in Premier League history to record a hat-trick before the break, more than justifying the £26m fee paid to bring him to the club in January and proving perhaps to be that missing Mykhailo Mudryk was not such. a big problem after all.

Tosin Adarabioyo would hit the bar with an imposing second-half header but, for their increase in possession, Fulham rarely really troubled Arsenal’s backline.

This was yet another example of the hosts’ reliance on Palhinha. In every league game without the Portugal international this season, Marco Silva’s side have conceded three or more goals. While Arsenal have and will continue to run many teams this season, the fragility of Silva’s squad outside of Palhinha is a real concern.

There was even time to bring Gabriel Jesus back into the fray as Arsenal secured victory with few incidents as the Gunners keep their title on course.