Fulham 0-1 Arsenal: Trossard strike sends Arteta's men three points clear

Leandro Trossard's first Premier League goal of the season proved decisive as Arsenal returned to the top of the table with a gritty 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. 

Having been replaced by Manchester City after their win over Everton earlier in the day, the Gunners moved three points clear at the summit after eight games of their campaign. 

After a slow start, Riccardo Calafiori picked out the top-left corner with a sensational strike in the 18th minute, but the goal was ruled out for an offside against the Italian. 

Harry Wilson then came close to opening the scoring but could only fire wide of David Raya's near post after collecting Alex Iwobi's drilled pass inside the Arsenal penalty area. 

The lively Josh King almost caught Raya out soon after, with the visiting goalkeeper forced to tip a cross-shot over the bar as Declan Rice shot wide in first-half stoppage time. 

A quiet opening period from Viktor Gyokeres almost sparked into life after he was fed by Bukayo Saka, but his right-footed shot from a tight angle was blocked by Bernd Leno.

Arsenal's bright start after the restart was rewarded in the 58th minute when Gabriel Magalhaes nodded Saka's inviting corner to the back post for Trossard to knee over the line. 

Saka then thought he had won his side a penalty eight minutes later after being tripped by Fulham substitute Kevin in the box, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.

That moment was the closest either side came until the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, but Leno was on hand to deny Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli's attempts. 

Arsenal pulled further clear of champions Liverpool ahead of their clash with Manchester United on Sunday. Fulham, meanwhile, are down in 14th.

Data Debrief: Arsenal grind out huge three points

Arteta and Arsenal knew the importance of all three points against a side they have often struggled against in recent years, though they could not get going from an attacking perspective before the break.

But they were able to find their groove after the break through a familiar routine. Arsenal have now scored more goals from corners (seven) than any other side in the Premier League this season, with this their 63rd since the start of 2021-22. No other side has more than 47.

And the decisive moment came from Trossard, who has now been involved in seven goals across his last 12 games for Arsenal in all competitions (three goals, four assists), with this his first goal in nine starts since April last season against Crystal Palace.

Mikel Arteta's team were worthy of their win, ending the game with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.88 from their 16 shots to Fulham's 0.44 from their nine attempts. Indeed, this was the first time since November 2003 that the Gunners did not face a shot on target in successive Premier League games.