As Gabriel Magalhaes caught a debut goal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a stunner in Saturday's 3-0 victory at Fulham, Arsenal made a flying start to the new Premier League season.
Just 48 days after last season’s delayed conclusion, the Premier League is back and Arsenal hit the bottom running with the type of confident display that has become their hallmark since Mikel Arteta took charge.
For promoted Fulham, Arsenal's free-flowing assault was too incisive and Alexandre Lacazette gave the visitors an early lead at Craven Cottage.
Brazilian defender Gabriel scored Arsenal’s second after the break in his introduction since his close-season move from Lille.
Aubameyang added the ultimate flourish with a typically eye-catching strike that emphasised why Arsenal are so desperate for the Gabon forward to sign an extension to the contract which expires at the top of the season.
Arteta has said that fans concerned Aubameyang will leave can “relax” because he's “very optimistic” his captain will agree a replacement deal soon.
With former Chelsea winger Willian providing a pair of assists on his debut, it had been the perfect way for Arsenal to start out a season that appears filled with promise after last season’s FA Cup triumph
Although their eighth-placed finish within the Premier League ranked as Arsenal’s lowest final position since 1995, Arteta had little to try to to thereupon after taking charge in December following the dismal reign of Unai Emery.
The former Manchester City assistant coach has been a much-needed breath of fresh air for Arsenal and pushing for an area within the top four shouldn't be beyond his revitalised team this term.
Which the continued absence of fans thanks to the coronavirus and shorter than usual break has taken a touch anticipation faraway from the new campaign, Arsenal were keener than most to urge back in action after beating Chelsea within the FA final .
By beating Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield last month, the Gunners had underlined their rapid progress and Fulham was no match for them.
Fulham Collapsing—
A pre-match spat between Dani Ceballos and Eddie Nketiah was the only dark cloud for Arteta.
The pair had to be separated by Arsenal team-mates after Nketiah reacted to an aggressive challenge from Ceballos while a gaggle of players were exchanging passes within the warm-up.
Arteta must are alarmed when Ainsley Maitland-Niles hit a weak back pass that caused confusion between Gabriel and recalled keeper Bernd Leno early .
Aboubakar Kamara nipped in but Leno managed to save lots of at his feet before the Fulham forward could get an attempt away.
Arteta’s worries were eased when Lacazette netted within the ninth minute.
Granit Xkaha’s strike forced a miscued clearance from Tim Ream and Willian pounced with a close-range shot that Fulham keeper Marek Rodak could only obtrude to Lacazette, who slotted home from virtually on the goalline.
It made Lacazette the primary player to attain the opening goal of a Premier League campaign twice after the French striker also bagged the opener in 2017-18.
Willian was denied a debut goal when his low free-kick cannoned off the bottom of the post.
Gabriel was enjoying a composed debut and therefore the 22-year-old showed he are often a goal threat also when he doubled Arsenal’s lead within the 49th minute.
Willian swung over the corner and Gabriel showed his desire as he rose above Michael Hector for an attempted header that hit his shoulder because it flashed into internet .
Fulham’s defence was crumbling just like the recently demolished Craven Cottage stand and Aubameyang finished them off within the 57th minute with a carbon of his Community Shield goal against Liverpool.
Just as at Wembley, Willian’s superb cross-field pass picked out Aubameyang and he was allowed to advance unchecked into the world before bending a fine finish into the far corner.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon