Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was really pleased after his team’s 1-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League. The win came at Craven Cottage, Fulham’s home stadium, and it ended a little patch of struggles the Gunners had been experiencing in certain away games. This match was especially important because it showed that Arsenal is getting stronger, more confident, and more ready to win tough matches.
The only goal of the game came in the 58th minute when Leandro Trossard scored with a close-range finish. That goal gave Arsenal their fifth win in a row across all competitions. Winning five games in a row is a big deal in soccer because it shows consistency, teamwork, and focus. Right now, Arsenal is leading the Premier League, three points ahead of Manchester City, who are second in the table. Liverpool, the current champions, are four points behind Arsenal, but they still had a game against Manchester United to play on Sunday.
Why This Win Matters
Last season, Arsenal had a tough time winning away games against teams like Newcastle and Fulham and even struggled at home against West Ham. In fact, Arsenal only earned one point in each of those three matches last year. But this season, things are looking very different. They have already collected nine points from those same matches, which is a perfect record so far.
Winning at Fulham was a special achievement because Arsenal had never won at Craven Cottage in their previous two visits. This win sends a clear message that Arsenal is determined to challenge for the title. Mikel Arteta, who has guided Arsenal to be runners-up for the past three seasons, said this is an important step as the team aims to win the league for the first time since 2004. That’s almost 20 years since their last Premier League title!
Mikel Arteta on the Match
Mikel Arteta explained that the game was tough because Fulham is a strong team and playing at their stadium is never easy. He said, “The recent history wasn’t in our favor, and we wanted to change that, like we did against Newcastle and West Ham at home. This is another step to having the mindset and ability to win these kind of matches against a really good opposition, and a really difficult place to come.”
He also praised the team’s patience and maturity. When the game stayed 0-0 for a long time, it became more challenging. “When the context is 0-0, and the game gets longer and longer, it becomes more difficult. But we showed a lot of maturity. We kept knocking on the door in various ways, and in the end we found a way, with the set-piece to do it, but we deserved it,” Mikel Arteta said.
The Penalty Controversy
There was an exciting moment right after Trossard’s goal when Bukayo Saka looked like he might earn a penalty. Saka was taken down near the corner of the area by Fulham substitute Kevin. The referee, Anthony Taylor, pointed to the penalty spot at first, but the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) decided that Kevin had touched the ball before bringing Saka down, so it wasn’t a penalty.
Mikel Arteta, who was quite animated on the touchline, explained, “I was getting animated because it was taking so long. I asked Anthony ‘why it was taking so long’. It was nothing to do with the process, it was just that the screen wasn’t working. It probably wasn’t a penalty so they made the right decision in the end, and I was just animated because of the process.”
VAR is a tool used in modern soccer to help referees make better decisions. It’s been used in the Premier League since 2019 and can be helpful, but sometimes it takes a few minutes for decisions to be confirmed, which can make coaches a little nervous.
Viktor Gyokeres Still Searching for His First Goal
The only slightly negative part of the game for Arsenal was that their new striker, Viktor Gyokeres, didn’t score again. Gyokeres, who is from Sweden, joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in the close season. He had scored a lot of goals in Portugal, but he is still finding it hard to adapt to the Premier League. This was his seventh consecutive game without scoring.
Mikel Arteta defended Gyokeres and emphasized his hard work. “He was very close again today. We were all begging for him to score. The work rate he puts in for the team is phenomenal. We try to give him support and the love, and it will come,” Mikel Arteta said.
It’s normal for players to take some time to adjust to a new league, especially one as competitive as the Premier League. Soccer is different in every country, and England is known for being fast-paced and physically demanding. Gyokeres’ teammates, including stars like Trossard and Saka, are helping him settle in, which is important for Arsenal’s success this season.
Fun Soccer Facts and Stats from the Match
Leandro Trossard has been a key player for Arsenal since joining the club. His ability to score in tight spaces makes him very dangerous in the final third of the pitch.
Bukayo Saka, only 22 years old, is considered one of the best young players in the world. He has already played over 100 games for Arsenal and is a regular for the England national team.
Arsenal’s current winning streak of five games includes matches from the Premier League, FA Cup, and European competitions, which shows that the team is performing well on multiple fronts.
Arsenal has now collected nine points from away games against Fulham, Newcastle, and West Ham this season, a perfect record that’s much better than last season.
Looking Ahead
Arsenal fans will be excited because this result shows that the team can handle tough matches on the road. If they continue their good form, they have a real chance to win the Premier League this season. With players like Trossard, Saka, and Gabriel Jesus (another important goal scorer) leading the attack, Arsenal looks more complete than in previous years.
Mikel Arteta has built a team that plays with intelligence, teamwork, and patience. The manager’s style focuses on controlling the game, maintaining possession, and being clinical when it comes to scoring. This philosophy is now paying off, as Arsenal looks strong at the top of the table.
Soccer News Combo
In other Premier League news, Manchester City and Liverpool are also fighting hard for the top spot. Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, are known for their attacking style and have some of the best players in the world. Liverpool, managed by Jurgen Klopp, have a high-energy pressing style that has made them champions in the past. Arsenal’s ability to keep pace with these teams shows how far they have come under Mikel Arteta.
Another interesting stat: last season, Arsenal struggled in certain away games, but this season, their away form is one of the best in the league. That’s a huge improvement, and it could be the key to finally winning the Premier League after almost 20 years.
Conclusion
In short, Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Fulham was more than just three points. It was a sign of maturity, teamwork, and mental strength. Mikel Arteta’s team is learning how to win in tough situations, and players like Trossard, Saka, and Gyokeres are all contributing to this effort. The Premier League race is heating up, and Arsenal fans have plenty to be excited about as their team continues to push for the title.
Soccer is not just about scoring goals; it’s about working together, learning from mistakes, and never giving up. Arsenal showed all of that against Fulham, and if they keep it up, they could finally bring the Premier League trophy back to North London.
