Arsenal’s confidence has been restored
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That eye-catching performance and victory means that Arsenal head into next week’s Champions League encounter against Atletico Madrid brimming with positivity.
Now six points ahead of Man City in the Premier League, these are their remaining top-flight fixtures:
Sunday 10th May: West Ham United (A)
Monday 18th May: Burnley (H)
Sunday 24th May: Crystal Palace (A)
Arsenal joy at full-time
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Gyokeres speaks to Sky Sports
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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2026"We never stopped believing and we're not going to"
Viktor Gyökeres reacts after scoring two goals and grabbing an assist against Fulham 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ROWI1YOlti
FT: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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A commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham ensures that Arsenal move six points clear at the top of the Premier League. All the goals arrived in the first half, with Gyokeres’ double and Saka’s clinical finish sealing a pivotal win. Lewis-Skelly produced a brilliant midfield performance, while Arsenal were rampant going forward.
90+2 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Fulham substitute King glides into Arsenal’s box and the ball trickles across a dangerous area. Mosquera does well to dig out a vital clearance to help the hosts protect their clean sheet.
90 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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There will be four minutes of added time. The Emirates is relaxed and in full voice. This game has been done and dusted for a while now.
88 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Most of the away end have already departed the Emirates. It’s been a disappointing performance from Fulham, who are set to lose vital ground in the race for European football.
85 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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From the halfway line, Dowman drives at the Fulham defence. The youngster’s balance is excellent as he darts inside of Kusi-Asare. However, he shoots while leaning back, and his effort drifts wide.
83 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Arteta makes a late change as Mosquera replaces White for the final part of the match.
80 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Arsenal hit the bar. Corners have been such an effective attacking tool for the hosts, who are so close to a fourth. Madueke swings a cross into the box and Calafiori rises highest and heads the ball. He beats Leno to it, but it clips the Fulham goalkeeper’s head before rebounding off the bar. Leno knew nothing it. After having a first half goal ruled out by VAR, luck is not on Calafiori’s side today.
79 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Eze has produced another influential performance and he’s withdrawn for Dowman. Smith Rowe cannot continue and comes off for Kusi-Asare.
76 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Fulham make a rare foray forward and it ends with Smith Rowe slamming an effort into the side netting from a tight angle. After shooting, he goes down and is in need of treatment.
73 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Fulham make their fourth change of the match as Rodrigo Muniz enters the action, replacing Jimenez, who has struggled to impact the game.
72 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Arsenal can’t clear a Fulham corner and the ball bounces around the penalty area. It eventually falls to Castagne, who fires a powerful strike at Raya, forcing the goalkeeper into a relatively simple save. That is Fulham’s first shot on target of the match.
70 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Despite Arsenal’s advantage, which looks in no danger of being overturned, Arteta is still bellowing out instructions to his players and bouncing around his technical area.
67 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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The Arsenal fans have just produced a rendition of “49, 49 Lewis-Skelly”, which is a remix of their famous “49, 49 undefeated” chant. That one hasn’t been heard for a while but Lewis-Skelly deserves it for his performance here.
64 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Both teams make a string of changes.
Fulham make a triple substitution as Cairney, King and Bobb come on for Reed, Chukwueze and Wilson, with the latter looking frustrated with the decision.
Gyokeres won’t get his hat-trick as he’s replaced by Jesus. Rice also gets a rest, with Zubimendi entering the action.
62 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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59 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Fulham fail to clear an Arsenal free-kick and the ball eventually bounces to Trossard. The Belgian shoots, but doesn’t properly connect with the half-volley, which Leno gathers comfortably.
56 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Gyokeres is so close to a hat-trick. Once again, the striker makes a piercing run behind the Fulham defence. On this occasion, he’s found by Trossard and is through on goal. Instead of using his left foot, he tries to cut across the ball and strike it with the inside of his right. This allows Leno to close the angle down and the Fulham goalkeeper makes an impressive stop.
55 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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This half is currently being played at a far slower tempo. Arsenal did the hard work in the first half and look content with protecting their three-goal advantage.
52 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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We’ve barely mentioned Wilson’s name so far. Fulham’s most influential player this season hasn’t had a look in today.
50 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Reed whips a corner into the box and Castagne wins the header at the near post. The full-back glances his attempt narrowly wide.
48 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Jimenez is about 30 yards out and tries a speculative effort from long range. He hits it with a lot of power and it flies off target.
46 min: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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We are back under way for the second half. Arteta has made a half-time change, taking off Saka for Madueke. Saka has only just come back from injury so it looks like a sensible decision.
Saka and Gyokeres were superb in that first half
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Arsenal’s most impressive display for weeks
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This has been Arsenal’s best performance for a long, long time. Maybe their most dominant showing of 2026. Saka and Gyokeres are destroying Fulham. Arsenal have had 14 shots to Fulham’s two, and 22 touches in the box to Fulham’s zero. Goal difference on their minds now surely...
Arteta has a decision to make now. Rest players ahead of the Champions League semi-final in midweek, or keep the big boys on the field because of the potential boost to goal difference? A reminder that if both Arsenal and City win all their remaining games, they will finish level on points.
HT: Arsenal 3 Fulham 0
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Arsenal are cheered off the pitch by their fans after racing into a dominant three-goal lead over Fulham. The hosts have been magnificent and completely outclassed the visitors. Saka’s fabulous assist set up Gyokeres for the first goal, before the Arsenal captain added the home side’s second with a clinical finish. Seconds before half-time, Trossard floated a inviting cross into Gyokeres, who headed in Arsenal’s third.
GOAL! Gyokeres adds a third seconds before half-time
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Trossard is unleashed on the wing and runs at Castagne. The Arsenal attacker goes on the outside of the Fulham full-back, before floating a delicate cross into Gyokeres, who directs a firm header into the net from close range.
45 min: Arsenal 2 Fulham 0
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There will be three minutes of added time. Fulham look like they can’t wait for the half to end. Arsenal have been overwhelmingly dominant.
44 min: Arsenal 2 Fulham 0
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Arsenal pile forward in search of another goal as White clips a cross towards Gabriel at the back post. The Brazilian can’t quite reach it, with a couple other Arsenal players waiting for a tap in.
42 min: Arsenal 2 Fulham 0
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Arsenal have scored two goals in a game for the first time since March 17th. Ends a run of eight matches scoring one or zero times.
GOAL! Saka doubles Arsenal’s lead with a clinical finish
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The Arsenal captain has been unplayable in this first half. Gyokeres makes a run behind the Fulham defence and is picked out by Eze’s pinpoint pass. The striker holds up the ball and plays in Saka, who fizzes an effort into the bottom corner.
40 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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Trossard drifts inside and dances past Reed to get into a central position. The winger shoots, but his strike is tame and easily collected by Leno.
38 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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There’s a couple of uncomfortable moments for White, who loses possession to Lukic before miscuing a clearance. Fulham have shown small signs of promise in the last few minutes, but they’re yet to record a shot on target.
35 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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32 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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Boos were ringing around the Emirates when Calafiori’s goal was disallowed. Nevertheless, Arsenal must persevere. They’ve been all over Fulham in this first half so far.
NO GOAL! Arsenal double their lead through Calafiori but he’s offside
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Rice threads a ball to Saka, who pulls a cross back to Eze. The playmaker’s shot is blocked by the Fulham defence and Leno. Arsenal quickly string together another attack as Trossard floats a cross into the box. Calafiori then nods a delicate header into the net, but VAR rules that the Italian defender was offside. Arsenal’s joy is cut short.
27 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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How have Arsenal not scored?! Leno flaps at a cross as he challenges Gabriel. The ball eventually spills out to Gyokeres, whose low shot forces Leno into a save. The rebound then falls to Saka and the Arsenal captain drills an effort wide.
25 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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This has been an impressively dominant and fluid start by Arsenal, who have had all of the ball and all of the territory. They seem determined to not allow Fulham beyond the halfway line, let alone into the penalty area. David Raya has just slide-tackled Raul Jimenez in Fulham’s half.
23 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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Lukic receives the game’s first yellow card for needlessly tripping Eze. The Fulham midfielder looked annoyed and took his frustration out on Eze. He must be extremely careful now.
21 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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Rice and Lewis-Skelly are sitting as quite a deep double pivot at the base of Arsenal’s midfield, giving Eze the freedom to roam around the pitch. Gyokeres does well to win a free kick against Andersen. Rice then swings a delicious cross into the box, which Leno only punches to Eze on the edge of the area. The former Crystal Palace man shoots, but his attempt is blocked by a sea of bodies.
18 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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In recent weeks, Arsenal have been accused of looking tentative at the start of games. So far today, there are no signs of nerves for the league leaders.
16 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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14 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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That was Saka’s first assist for Gyokeres in the Premier League. They have not really gelled this season but Arsenal will hope this is the start of a better connection.
11 min: Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
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That goal is the perfect foundation for Arsenal to build upon. If it stays like this, the home side will move six points clear of Man City at the top of the Premier League table.
GOAL! Saka brilliantly tees up Gyokeres for an early opener
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It’s sensational attacking play from Saka. That is the winger at his very best. He breezes past Jimenez and leaves the striker on the floor, before firing in a low cross for Gyokeres, who is waiting inside the six-yard box. The Swede then taps a close-range effort into the net to settle the early Arsenal nerves.
6 min: Arsenal 0 Fulham 0
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The hosts are dominating the ball in these early stages. As well as Leno, Smith-Rowe is also making a return to his old stomping ground. The Englishman was an Arsenal academy graduate, but had to leave the club in 2024 for Fulham in search of more regular football.
3 min: Arsenal 0 Fulham 0
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Saliba finds Eze with a sweeping long pass, but the playmaker can’t control it. Arsenal do well to regain possession through Lewis-Skelly, who tees up Trossard. The winger runs at Castagne, before he twists and flashes a low drive wide of the far post.
Really strong start by Lewis-Skelly in midfield. Within two minutes he’s earned a free-kick, created a chance and won a couple of duels.
The teams emerge from the tunnel
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Saka and Reed lead their sides out onto the pitch. Can Arsenal go six points clear or will Fulham spoil their party?
Other Premier League results
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Friday 1st May
Leeds United 3 Burnley 1
Saturday 2nd May
Brentford 3 West Ham United 0
Newcastle United 3 Brighton 1
Wolves 1 Sunderland 1
Paul Merson and Jamie Redknapp speak about the importance of Bukayo Saka
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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2026"If you can't hurt them, then there is a worry"
Paul Merson & Jamie Redknapp on Bukayo Saka's absence being a big impact for the Gunners. pic.twitter.com/Tc4MCM6KOB
A former Arsenal man returns to the Emirates
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Goalkeeper Bernd Leno spent four years at Arsenal between 2018 and 2022, before moving to Fulham. The 34-year-old has started every Premier League game for Marco Silva’s side this season.
Jamie Redknapp speaks on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s start in midfield
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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2026"It's a BIG ask for him to start"
Jamie Redknapp on Myles Lewis-Skelly's performance in an Arsenal shirt this season 🔴 pic.twitter.com/yTGNDVILlg
Arsenal out for their warm-up
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Arsenal fans out in full force
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The Emirates has become a cauldron of intensity and nerves in recent weeks. Can the players help the fans relax with a dominant performance today?
Harrison Reed named as Fulham’s captain
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An earlier graphic suggested that Joachim Andersen would captain the side, but Fulham have now confirmed that Harrison Reed will take the armband.
Fulham’s dreadful record at the Emirates
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History is on Arsenal’s side today: they have not lost any of their 32 home league games against Fulham, which is the most any side has faced another without defeat in English Football League history. Fulham, meanwhile, have never won a Premier League away game against the league leaders.
All of which should be encouraging for Arsenal fans, except for the fact that a draw would be just as damaging as a defeat...
Myles Lewis-Skelly gets a rare start
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The big team news for Arsenal is that Myles Lewis-Skelly starts in the Premier League for only the second time this season. Interestingly, it seems like he is starting in a midfield position. If so, this will be the first time he has started as a midfielder for Arsenal’s senior team. He came through the academy as a central midfielder but has played left-back for the first team.
The teams in full
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Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Hincapie, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Zubimendi, Dowman.
Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic, Reed, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze, Jimenez.
Subs: Lecomte, Tete, Rodrigo Muniz, Cairney, Bobb, Cuenca, Kusi-Asare, King, Diop.
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Fulham team news
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Marco Silva has made two alterations to the team which beat Aston Villa. Ryan Sessegnon, who netted the winner in the victory over Villa, is unavailable due to injury, and is replaced by Antonee Robinson.
The other change sees Harrison Reed come in for Sander Berge. Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi is sidelined with an injury.
Arsenal team news
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Mikel Arteta has made five changes to the side which drew against Atletico Madrid. Bukayo Saka begins for the first time since the Carabao Cup final at the end of March, while Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze also start.
Martin Odegaard was taken off in midweek and doesn’t make the squad today. Kai Havertz picked up an injury during last weekend’s win over Newcastle United and remains absent. Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are also missing.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 2, 2026🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
⚡️ Calafiori joins the defence
© Saka skippers the side
🪄 Eze providing the creativityWe know what to do, Gunners ✊
🤝 Presented by @deel
Arsenal’s midweek exploits
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On Wednesday evening, Arsenal drew 1-1 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano. Both Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez scored penalties in an evenly-matched encounter. Eberechi Eze thought he had won a late penalty after he was tripped by David Hancko, but the referee’s decision was overturned by VAR.
Crunch time
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Hello and welcome to our live blog for this Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium.
Just two wins in their previous eight games across all competitions has caused anxiety to skyrocket amongst the Arsenal faithful in recent weeks. The title almost feels within touching distance, but Arsenal’s closest challengers, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, are hitting their stride, intensifying the pressure and turning up the heat on Mikel Arteta’s men.
A win this evening over Fulham would give Arsenal a six-point cushion ahead of Man City, having played two games more. It would draw all eyes to Man City, who would need to be faultless in their upcoming fixtures against Everton and Brentford to keep pace with Arsenal before they face West Ham United next Sunday.
Arsenal were in action earlier in the week, drawing 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in Spain. The club’s injury problems mean that various key players have missed a combined total of 262 matches, which is one of the reasons why their form has dipped at the business end of the campaign. Arteta is having to delve into his squad and exhaust his resources to continue balancing domestic and European football.
Fulham are no pushovers and are only two points behind sixth-place Brighton. They’re involved in a busy race for European football, and an unlikely result at the Emirates would do wonderfully to serve this cause.
With manager Marco Silva’s future still looking uncertain, some form of European competition could be the missing component that would convince him to stay at the club.
Arsenal stumbled to an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Newcastle United in their previous Premier League outing, while Fulham also won by the same scoreline, beating Aston Villa at Craven Cottage thanks to Ryan Sessegnon’s first half goal.
Despite their tiredness and the mounting pressure, Arsenal must hold off Fulham and flex their title-winning muscles. More dropped points will only increase the fans’ doubt and embolden Man City, who are waiting to pounce on any Arsenal mistake.
Kick-off is at 17:30, with team news coming shortly.