LONDON - Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday and carved out a small slice of top-flight history in the process.
Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Martinelli and captain Martin Ødegaard all scored in the first half as the Gunners became the first team to win five consecutive away London derbies without conceding a single goal.
The Gunners began the day with second-placed Manchester City hot on their heels after a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday pulled the reigning champs within two points. With 11 games remaining, Mikel Arteta's side can stretch the gap to eight points with a home win against Crystal Palace next Sunday before Manchester City's next appointment in the Premier League.
"How does that sound? It's 11 finals for us, we take it game by game," said Leandro Trossard, who had a trio of assists as Arsenal took advantage of Fulham's porous defense at Craven Cottage. "It's about keeping clean sheets as well. Today we did a great game; to keep it zero, you only need to score one. It was three, we're really happy with that."
Marco Silva's Cottagers, who had lost only once in their previous seven home games in all competitions, are eighth in the league.
Gabriel, who also netted his debut goal against Fulham in 2020, put Arsenal on the scoreboard in the 21st minute with a header from inside a crowded six-yard box off Trossard's corner kick. The Gunners had appeared to get on the board even earlier but Antonee Robinson's own goal was ruled offside by the VAR.
Trossard teed up Martinelli in the 26th minute when his arching cross dropped at the far post for an easy header, the Brazilian's 12th goal of the season. Only four Premier League players have scored more.
It's the Gabriel show at Craven Cottage as Gabriel Magalhães & Gabriel Martinelli both score headers!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 12, 2023
Seconds before halftime, Ødegaard took two touches to control Trossard's cross before smashing the ball past Fulham — and former Arsenal — keeper Bernd Leno.
A hat trick worth of assists for Leandro Trossard as Martin Odegaard scores his 50th club goal!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 12, 2023
Trossard, who was signed by Arsenal in January, said he had no negative feelings about not scoring.
"Really happy with it, I always try to help the team with goals and assists and help the team going forward," the Belgian said. "Today, it went my way and I'm just really happy that we won."
Brazilian Gabriel Jesus earned a roar from Gunners fans when he entered the game in the 77th minute, his first action since a knee injury suffered at the World Cup in November.
Gabriel Jesus is BACK for Arsenal!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 12, 2023
"It's a massive boost, he's been out for a while now and we know what he's going to give to the team again, and we're all excited to have him back," Ødegaard said. "Very happy for him and for the team."
Jesus nearly scored in the 85th but his shot from close range went straight to the keeper.
Fulham found some life midway through the second half, with a couple of excellent scoring chances, including a header by Aleksandar Mitrović that clanged off the crossbar.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; editing by Clare Fallon)
