Arsenal
Tosin Ogunrinde
Arsenal put in their most complete performance in months on Saturday, May 2, 2026, beating Fulham 3-0 at the Emirates to move six points clear of Manchester City at the Premier League summit. Mikel Arteta’s side produced a “three-goal first-half blitz” that had the Emirates rocking with a party atmosphere instead of the nerves that have defined recent home games.
Viktor Gyokeres was the star, netting twice either side of a Bukayo Saka strike to wrap up the points before halftime. Saka set up the opener in the 9th minute, skipping past Raul Jimenez and squaring for Gyokeres to tap in. The pair reversed roles before the break, with Gyokeres feeding Saka to smash past former Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno at the near post. Gyokeres then headed Leandro Trossard’s cross in first-half stoppage time for his 21st goal of the season in all competitions.
The win was significant beyond the scoreline. Saka was back in the starting XI for the first time since March 22 after an Achilles injury, and his “sublime display showed what Arsenal missed” during a five-game absence that included three defeats. Arteta even had the luxury of subbing Saka at halftime and Declan Rice after the hour, with one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg vs Atletico Madrid.
The result takes Arsenal to 76 points from 35 games, six clear of Man City on 70 points from 33. City have two games in hand, starting at Everton on Monday, but Arsenal now hold a +41 goal difference to City’s +37, which could be decisive if both sides win out. “We showed a lot of authority, determination and composure,” Arteta said. “It says to us and to our dressing room that we keep the dream alive”.
For Fulham, the defeat leaves them 10th on 48 points, three behind Brentford in 6th as they chase a first European campaign since 2011/12. Marco Silva’s side were second-best throughout and have still never won a Premier League game at the Emirates in 18 attempts.
Arsenal’s title credentials looked shaky after a 2-1 loss at the Etihad on April 29 briefly sent City top, but back-to-back wins over Newcastle and now Fulham have “revived” their hope. Arteta called the display “the best they have played in months” and said the club is “exactly where we want to be” with four games to go.
City can cut the gap back to three points if they beat Everton, but Arsenal’s flowing football and improved goal difference have shifted the pressure. As _The Sun_ put it: “Everyone assumed Arteta’s side would crumble… but this win suggests otherwise”. Arsenal face West Ham next on May 10, while City must keep winning to stay alive in the race.
