In a tense London derby under the lights at Craven Cottage, Leandro Trossard delivered the decisive moment that kept Arsenal’s title charge on course. His perfectly executed corner in the second half eluded everyone, sailing directly into the far corner of the net to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham.
The win lifted Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League, tightening their grip on the summit and continuing their impressive run of form. It was not the Gunners’ most fluent performance, but it was a champion’s performance — one built on resilience, patience, and the ability to find a way even when not at their sparkling best.
For Fulham, it was a night of frustration. They matched Arsenal stride for stride for much of the contest, only to be undone by a moment of quality and perhaps a touch of fortune. But as the final whistle blew, the story belonged to Arsenal and to Leandro Trossard, the Belgian forward whose intelligence and composure have made him one of Arteta’s most reliable weapons this season.
A London Derby Steeped in Contrasting Ambitions
This was a fixture that perfectly captured the dynamics of modern London football — two clubs separated by geography but worlds apart in ambition.
Fulham, comfortable in mid-table under Marco Silva, have been one of the Premier League’s most disciplined sides at home. Compact, well-drilled, and opportunistic, they’ve troubled several of the division’s heavyweights at Craven Cottage.
Arsenal, by contrast, entered the match with title aspirations burning brightly once again. Having reclaimed top spot earlier in the month, Arteta’s men were eager to extend their lead and maintain momentum ahead of a demanding winter schedule that includes league, European, and domestic cup commitments.
Yet as the teams lined up beneath the misty glow of the floodlights, the sense of anticipation was palpable. Arsenal needed the points. Fulham wanted the statement. And for 90 hard-fought minutes, both sides gave everything.
First Half Arsenal Dominant but Denied
The early exchanges set the tone. Arsenal, in their familiar red and white, took control of possession from the opening whistle. Their midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz orchestrated the tempo, probing for spaces between Fulham’s compact defensive lines.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, operating on the wings, looked to stretch Fulham’s defense, constantly swapping flanks to disrupt their markers. Saka’s sharp interplay with Ben White created the first real chance of the game in the 12th minute, when his curling cross found Trossard at the back post — only for the Belgian’s header to graze the bar.
Fulham, however, refused to sit back. Their shape was disciplined, their pressing calculated. Andreas Pereira and Willian worked tirelessly to exploit transitions, while Raúl Jiménez provided a physical presence up front, engaging Arsenal’s center-backs Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba in an aerial duel.
In the 25th minute, Fulham came closest to opening the scoring. A quick counterattack saw Willian cut inside and unleash a shot that forced David Raya into a sprawling save. The rebound fell to Jiménez, whose follow-up effort was blocked heroically by Gabriel. It was a heart-stopping moment for the visitors and a reminder that dominance in possession doesn’t always guarantee control of a match.
Arsenal responded with patience rather than panic. They recycled possession, pulling Fulham side to side, waiting for the opening. Rice was particularly impressive, breaking up play and driving forward with authority — a true anchor who balanced aggression with composure.
By halftime, Arsenal had registered eight shots to Fulham’s four, yet the score remained 0–0. The Gunners’ traveling supporters continued to sing, urging their team forward, sensing that a breakthrough would eventually come.
Second Half The Decisive Moment
Whatever Arteta said during the interval had an immediate effect. Arsenal began the second half with renewed urgency, pressing higher and committing more numbers forward. Fulham’s defenders found themselves pinned deep, struggling to clear their lines as Ødegaard and Saka began to dictate the rhythm of play.
In the 57th minute, Arsenal earned a corner on the left after Trossard’s shot was deflected wide. It seemed innocuous at first — one of several corners Arsenal had already won — but this time, Trossard decided to take it himself.
The Belgian placed the ball carefully, took a few measured steps back, and swung it in with pace and precision. The ball bent wickedly, evading both attacker and defender alike before dipping sharply into the far corner. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, once an Arsenal man himself, was caught flat-footed. The net rippled, the away end exploded, and Trossard wheeled away in celebration.
It was a goal born of instinct and audacity — whether intentional or accidental, it carried the kind of fortune that favors the bold. Trossard’s teammates swarmed him in delight, while Fulham players stood in disbelief.
At 1–0, Arsenal had their breakthrough, and Arteta’s touchline fist pump said it all.
Trossard’s Growing Importance in Arteta’s System
Trossard’s arrival from Brighton in early 2023 was initially seen as a smart depth signing — a versatile forward who could fill multiple roles. But over time, he has become something more: a vital cog in Arsenal’s attacking machine.
Unlike traditional wingers who rely solely on pace, Trossard’s greatest strength lies in his football intelligence. His movement off the ball, ability to find space, and eye for quick combinations make him invaluable in Arteta’s possession-based system.
Against Fulham, he was everywhere — drifting between lines, linking play with Ødegaard, and pressing with intensity when out of possession. His goal may have come from a set-piece, but his overall contribution epitomized the modern attacker’s role: creative, flexible, and relentless.
Arteta praised him after the match:
“Leandro is a special player. He reads the game so well and always finds solutions. Whether he starts or comes from the bench, he changes games. Tonight he gave us that decisive moment.”
Indeed, in tight fixtures like this — where margins are fine and creativity meets grit — players like Trossard often make the difference.
Fulham’s Frustration A Tale of Missed Chances and Narrow Margins
For Fulham, the defeat was difficult to swallow, not because they were outplayed, but because they were competitive throughout.
Manager Marco Silva set his team up intelligently. They absorbed pressure, broke quickly, and created several promising moments. Pereira and Willian’s interplay on the flanks caused Arsenal problems, while Jiménez’s work rate gave them a focal point up front.
But as the match wore on, Fulham’s legs began to tire. Arsenal’s relentless pressing and ball circulation gradually sapped their energy. When the goal came, they struggled to muster a meaningful response.
Their best late opportunity fell to substitute Carlos Vinícius, who pounced on a loose ball in the 84th minute, only to see his shot blocked superbly by Saliba. That moment encapsulated Fulham’s night — brave, enterprising, but ultimately undone by finer margins.
Silva remained philosophical afterward:
“We played well, but against top teams, one moment can change everything. We competed, we pressed, and we had our chances. I can’t fault the players’ effort.”
Arsenal’s Defensive Solidity The Foundation of Their Title Charge
While Trossard’s goal will grab the headlines, Arsenal’s defense deserves equal credit. This was their fifth clean sheet in the last six games — a statistic that speaks volumes about the team’s evolution.
Saliba and Gabriel have formed arguably the most consistent center-back pairing in the Premier League. Their blend of athleticism, anticipation, and calmness under pressure has given Arsenal the kind of stability they lacked in previous seasons.
Behind them, goalkeeper David Raya continues to justify Arteta’s faith. Though often criticized for his distribution risks, his shot-stopping and command of the penalty area were vital against Fulham. Late on, he tipped a curling effort from Pereira over the bar — a save that preserved all three points.
Arsenal’s defensive structure under Arteta has matured. They no longer panic when under pressure; they manage moments with poise. It’s this maturity that separates potential champions from hopeful challengers.
Midfield Control Declan Rice the Unsung Hero
If Arsenal’s backline was the anchor, Declan Rice was the heartbeat. The England international put in another commanding performance, combining defensive discipline with intelligent forward play.
Rice’s influence extends beyond numbers. He constantly communicates, positions teammates, and reads the flow of play like a seasoned veteran. Against Fulham, he broke up counters, intercepted passes, and drove Arsenal forward with surging runs.
At times, it felt as though Arsenal were playing with an extra man in midfield. Rice’s arrival last summer has transformed Arsenal’s balance — giving them both physicality and composure in the center.
Ødegaard, freed from deeper responsibilities, flourished as a creative outlet, orchestrating Arsenal’s tempo and threading passes into the final third.
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