Six Point Lead
Match of the day tagged this performance as 'to the victor goes the spoils' and it was wonderfully apt on this occasion as two goals and an assist from Viktor Gyokeres catapulted Arsenal into a six point lead in the Premier League table on Saturday evening. Going into the game three points ahead of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and up against a solid Fulham side, the football world was labelling this as a must win game for Mikel Arteta's title challengers.
Understandably with such lofty expectations, the atmosphere leading up to the game was one of apprehension yet mixed with a feeling that the team had gotten past the mini blip which saw them lose in the Carabao Cup final and crash out in the FA Cup quarter finals. Therefore with such a pivotal game in Arsenal's season, the energy around the stadium was cautious yet optimistic with so much at stake but the team set the supporters at ease quickly after their early pressure paid off with a 9th minute opener.
It began with a sublime pass from Arsenal talisman, Bukayo Saka who slid an inch perfect pass across the six yard box for the incoming Gyokeres to slot home. Arsenal now with their tails up had the ball in the net again on 28 minutes from a sweet header by Calafiori but it was ruled out for offside. Knowing that they needed that all important 2nd goal to settle any nerves that existed in previous games, Arsenal continued to press and were rewarded again on 40 minutes as Gyokeres returned the favour to Saka who finished well with his unstoppable drive at the near post. The Gunners sealed the win when they added a third just before the half time whistle with Leandro Trossard whipping in a cross from the edge of the box which was met by the in-form Gyokeres for his second and Arsenal's third.
"That's what they bought him for" 👏
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2026
Paul Merson and Jamie Redknapp discuss Viktor Gyökeres' performance against Fulham 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/b1aP0fDb72
Second half rotation
Three goals to the good and with the game as good as won, a mindful Arteta clearly was wary of the upcoming all important 2nd leg semi final tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and sent on Madueke for Saka at the start of the second half.
He followed this shortly by the withdrawl on 64 minutes of Declan Rice for Martin Zubimendi and Gabriel Jesus for goalscorer Gyokeres. Gunners prodigy Max Dowman made an appearance on 78 minutes for Eberechi Eze and Cristhian Mosquera replaced Ben White. Ultimately this was a match that Arsenal had to win and although the second half seen a few chances from both sides, it ended on the same scoreline as the first half did and a priceless 3-0 win for Arsenal.
Arteta, when asked about the importance of the match, said "It was a critical game because we know the importance of the win and the manner in which we've done it, the whole difference in the Premier League and because this game was going to carry a lot of energy towards the next game, and it's certainly going to do that. Now we have one of the biggest games in the history of this stadium, for sure on Tuesday, in front of our people and we're going to try to make it happen".
When asked about the result fuelling the momentum in the title race, Arteta added "That's what we want. Use that momentum, energy and belief towards Tuesday. We're certainly going to need that, so when I look at the atmosphere in the dressing room, I think it's tracking in the right direction".
The result will affect their nearest challengers Manchester City who find themselves six points adrift and facing a resilient Everton on Monday night. Pep's City have no room for complacency or sub par performances in their remaining 5 matches and although they have the two games in hand, one could imagine that they would swap immediately for the six point lead held by their counterparts. Monday's match will be of huge importance to the title race and for the battle to get among the European places as the Toffeemen still have aspirations of European football next season. Over to you Pep....
Relishing the run-in. pic.twitter.com/zHCWfpN2aA
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 2, 2026
Champions League Semi Final
As on many occasions this season, Arsenal won't have time to dwell too long on the superb league win especially with the next game looming large on the horizon. Three days rest for the Gunners then before the crucial Champions League 2nd leg semi final tie is played on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid and given the VAR decisions that didn't fall in Arsenal's favour in Madrid last week, Arteta will surely use the perceived injustices as fuel for his team talk. A repeat of the intensity and drive shown in the first half against Fulham will be needed against Diego
Simeone's team who looked dangerous when Lookman and Alvarez were on the attack. On this form however, Arsenal roared on by a packed Emirates faithful and eager to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years will hopefully have too much on the night for the Spanish giants.
