Following Fulham’s 3-2 loss against West London rivals Brentford, and after Arsenal’s enduring 2-2 draw in Lisbon on Thursday, a quiet opening to this match ensued as both sides kept things tight in the early stages.
But eager to extend their 100% winning streak in away London derbies this season, the Gunners soon took control, and Gabriel Martinelli’s low cross was turned into the net by Antonee Robinson before the defender’s blushes were spared as VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
The disallowed goal gave the visitors momentum to try and extend their record as the best away side in the PL and the floodgates opened when Trossard’s corner was powerfully headed into the net by Gabriel Magalhães.
Trossard was then the creator once more to help the Gunners double their lead after his drifted cross was headed in from close range by Martinelli. One-way traffic continued before HT as Martin Ødegaard controlled Trossard’s pass onto his left foot and curled into the bottom corner.
With Fulham taking just one home point from teams above them in the PL this season, a potential comeback seemed unlikely, and the Cottagers' first chance came with 20 minutes remaining when Aleksandar Mitrović’s header thumped the crossbar.
It proved to be Fulham’s only opportunity to claw themselves back into the contest as Arsenal saw out the win with little threat from the home side.
Fulham offered little in response to Arsenal’s flurry of goals in the first period and Marco Silva’s side are in danger of dropping out of the hunt for European football next season following a three-match winless streak.
A thoroughly professional Arsenal performance was spearheaded by Trossard’s creativity, but the defence also played their part in securing the Gunners' ninth away clean sheet and 11th victory on the road this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
