Arsenal made a big statement in the Premier League title race with a 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday evening.
The Gunners put their London rivals to bed thanks to a first-half brace from Viktor Gyokeres, either side of a near-post effort from Bukayo Saka.
Saturday’s result leaves Arsenal six points clear of City with a +4 advantage on goal difference, though Pep Guardiola’s men still have two games in hand — starting with Everton away on Monday night.
Saka returns to re-ignite Arsenal title push
It’s been a shaky time for Arsenal, who have given up so much ground to City in the title race. However, on Saturday, they looked much more like their usual selves, especially in the first half. That was in absolutely no small part thanks to Bukayo Saka.
The winger has been sidelined with an Achilles injury since the last international break, only managing late cameos from the bench against Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid recently en route to full fitness.
On Saturday, Mikel Arteta gave Saka the start, and though he only made it to half-time, what a difference he made to his side.
Saka was a terror down the right for Arsenal, and it was his teasing low cross that beat Bernd Leno and gave Gyokeres a tap-in to get things going after four minutes. And that was after he utterly rinsed Raul Jimenez with a change of direct and turn of pace that would have left even the fastest full-backs on their backs, let alone a 34-year-old striker.
Saka continued to pose a threat, and it was the England international who doubled Arsenal’s lead on 40 minutes. A great pass into the channel from Eberechi Eze freed Gyokeres, who returned the assist on the opening goal by flicking the ball inside to Saka, who had lost Antonee Robinson with a dynamic run. The finish was inevitable, smashing the ball beyond Leno low at the near post.
In all, Saka created four chances in just 45 minutes of football — including two big chances — and that turned out to remain a match-high. What’s more, the 24-year-old had four touches in the opposition box and completed both a dribble and a cross from two attempts at each.
It’s no surprise that Arsenal’s play slowed down after the break, looking less dynamic without their wing wizard to stretch the play.
However, Arteta would have snatched a three-goal win before kick-off, and he can thank Saka for delivering it. Hopefully, his half-time withdrawal was only a precaution.
What next in the title race?
As mentioned, Arsenal are now six points and four goals clear of Man City. However, whereas the Gunners only have three games left to play, City have five.
Guardiola’s side have a tough trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton on Monday, before hosting Brentford on Saturday. Then, their game in hand comes at home to Crystal Palace the following Wednesday, with the FA Cup final against Chelsea right off the back in a challenging time for the chasers.
City have every chance of putting goals away against the likes of Everton, Brentford and Palace, so Arsenal cannot let themselves think a four-goal lead is enough.
Arteta will be expecting a repeat of Saturday’s first half away at West Ham and Palace, either side of their final home game against Burnley. He’ll also be hoping for Champions League progression against Atletico Madrid, or at the very least, that the semi-final doesn’t take too much out of them.