Arsenal did what Arsenal need to keep doing right now — they turned up, they performed, and they made it look relatively straightforward. A 3-0 win over Fulham at the Emirates was not just three points, it was a statement of intent from a side that has been questioned all season about whether they have the mental fortitude to grind out results when the pressure is on.
The game was essentially over before half time. Arsenal scored in the ninth minute, added a second on forty and then a third right on the stroke of forty five. Three goals before the break is the kind of first half that tells you everything you need to know about the mood and the momentum in that dressing room. The stats backed up what the eyes were telling you. Arsenal had seventeen shots to Fulham's nine, eight of those on target compared to just one from the visitors. The Gunners were dominant in every department.
Bukayo Saka was outstanding, as he so often is. There are players you rely on to carry you through difficult patches in a season and Saka is that player for Arsenal. He does not have an off day very often and when he is on it, teams simply cannot handle him. Riccardo Calafiori was excellent at the back, composed and assured, continuing to show why Arsenal made the move to bring him in. Viktor Gyokeres, who continues to look like one of the most complete forwards in the league, was a constant problem for the Fulham defence and Leandro Trossard contributed in the way he always does, quietly effective and always in the right positions.
The real talking point though is Myles Lewis-Skelly. The young midfielder was brilliant again and you have to ask the question seriously now — why is this lad not starting every single week? He has the composure, the technical ability and the intelligence to play at this level and he demonstrates it every time he gets the opportunity. Arsenal have a real gem in this kid and Arteta needs to trust him with regular minutes. At his age, with his quality, he should be building a run in the first team, not waiting on the bench for his chance.
Fulham were missing some key players and that has to be acknowledged fairly. Marco Silva's side are a far better team than what showed up at the Emirates on Saturday and the absentees clearly disrupted their shape and their game plan. Still, even accounting for that, they were outclassed. One shot on target all game. Bernd Leno was barely tested. Arsenal were simply a level above on the day.
There were those who wondered whether Arsenal would crack under the weight of expectation at this stage of the season. The answer on Saturday was a resounding no. They were clinical, professional and ruthless when it mattered most. The title race is still very much alive and performances like this are exactly why you should not write them off. Let me know your thoughts.