FULHAM 0-3 ARSENAL
Written by Jed Vine
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCH EVENTS
8′ GOAL – Alexandre Lacazette
49′ GOAL – Gabriel Magalhães (Assist – Willian)
57′ GOAL – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Assist – Willian)
OVERVIEW
Arsenal got their 2020/21 campaign off to the perfect start as they ripped newly-promoted Fulham apart at Craven Cottage.
Just eight minutes into the game, Tim Ream failed to clear a simple ball, and, whilst Willian was unable to capitalise, the ball fell to Lacazette, and the Frenchman could pass it home to score the first goal of the new Premier League season. In fact, he became the first ever player to score the first goal of a Premier League season on more than one occasion, after his debut goal in Arsenal’s 4-3 win over Leicester in the first game of the 2017/18 season.
An almost flawless defensive display by new signing Gabriel was capped off with a debut goal early in the second half. Willian found his compatriot from a corner, and the centre-half diverted it into the back of the net via his shoulder. A brilliant start to life in London, as he became the first Arsenal centre-back to score on his debut since Thomas Vermaelen in 2009.
Arsenal weren’t finished there, though, and a beautiful passing move saw the ball arrive at Willian’s feet. The debutant sprayed a lovely ball over to Aubameyang, and the captain did what he does best; cutting inside, he curled an effort into the top corner, his 55th Premier League goal since his debut – more than any other player in that time. Unbelievable.
Arsenal fans will have loved the football on show from Mikel Arteta’s side, especially from their two new players, with both Gabriel and Willian battling it out for the MOTM award. Fulham and Scott Parker will hope to put this out of their memory as quickly as possible, after a shocking defensive showing in their first game back in the top-flight. Arsenal welcome West Ham to the Emirates next week, whilst Fulham will hope for better when they travel to fellow newcomers Leeds United next week.
PLAYER RATINGS
FULHAM
Marek Rodak – 5
Denis Odoi – 5.5
Michael Hector – 5
Tim Ream – 4
Joe Bryan – 5.5
Harrison Reed – 6
Tom Cairney – 5
Neeskens Kebano – 5.5
Josh Onomah – 6
Ivan Cavaleiro – 5
Aboubakar Kamara – 6
Subs:
Aleksandar Mitrovic – 6
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – 5
Bobby Reid – 5.5
ARSENAL
Bernd Leno – 6.5
Rob Holding – 7.5
Gabriel Magalhães – 8.5 (GOAL 49′)
Kieran Tierney – 7.5
Hector Bellerín – 8
Mohamed Elneny – 7.5
Granit Xhaka – 7.5
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7
WILLIAN – 9 (MOTM) (ASSIST 49′, 57′)
Embed from Getty ImagesAlexandre Lacazette – 8 (GOAL 8′)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8 (GOAL 56′)
