London, UNITED KINGDOM — Arsenal continued their march toward the Premier League title with a 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday evening at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners took full advantage of their mid-afternoon slot, moving six points clear of Manchester City (who hold two games in hand). The win boosts their goal difference as the season approaches its closing page.
Okay News reports that the match was decided by goals from Viktor Gyökeres and Bukayo Saka. Arsenal added a third before the break to extinguish any hopes of a Fulham comeback. Despite Marco Silva ringing the changes in the second half—introducing the likes of Oscar Bobb and Tom Cairney—the Cottagers were unable to breach a defense well-protected by Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori.
With a Champions League semifinal second leg against Atletico Madrid looming on Tuesday, Mikel Arteta utilized the comfortable lead to rotate his squad. High-flying winger Bukayo Saka was withdrawn at halftime for Noni Madueke, while Martin Zubimendi and Gabriel Jesus provided fresh legs in the final thirty minutes. The match also provided a glimpse into the future, with 14-year-old sensation Max Dowman coming off the bench to replace Eberechi Eze, nearly scoring a fourth goal in the dying minutes.
Fulham’s afternoon was further dampened by an injury to former Arsenal fan-favorite Emile Smith Rowe, who was forced off after a collision with David Raya.
Fulham remain 10th, seeing their slim hopes of European qualification further diminish.
