London: A second-half strike from Leandro Trossard secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Arsenal over a resilient Fulham, sending the Gunners three points clear at the top of the English Premier League (EPL).
According to Oman News Agency, in a match where the Gunners were forced to grind out a result, the breakthrough arrived in the 58th minute. Rising high to meet Bukayo Saka’s corner, defender Gabriel Magalhes flicked the ball across goal, where an unmarked Trossard was perfectly positioned to volley home from close range.
Manager Mikel Arteta was compelled to alter his lineup, naming the attacking Eberechi Eze in place of the absent captain Martin Odegaard. The change initially seemed to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm, as Fulham started brightly. The visitors threatened early through Harry Wilson and Josh King, who forced a fine save from goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal grew into the contest and thought they had taken the lead when Riccardo Calafiori found the net, only for the effort to be correctly ruled out for offside.
The Gunners emerged from the interval with renewed intensity, pinning Fulham back in their own half. The sustained pressure eventually told with Trossard’s decisive intervention. The hosts had a chance to double their lead when Bukayo Saka won a penalty, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.
The result sees Arsenal reclaim top spot with a three-point cushion over Manchester City, who had briefly led the table after an earlier win against Everton. Third-placed Liverpool, who now sit four points adrift, will host Manchester United tonight.