By OUR REPORTER at the Emirates
ARSENAL took a giant leap toward Premier League glory as Viktor Gyokeres and a returning Bukayo Saka tore Fulham to shreds in a first-half blitz at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s men moved six points clear of Manchester City at the summit, sending a deafening message to the blue half of Manchester: Catch us if you can.
The headlines belonged to the Swede with the Midas touch, Viktor Gyokeres, who bagged a clinical double to take his season tally to an incredible 21 goals. But the emotional heartbeat of the afternoon was Bukayo Saka, making his first start since March after an Achilles layoff.
It took the England star just nine minutes to prove class is permanent. Saka danced around Raul Jimenez—tasked with a thankless defensive role—leaving the Mexican on his backside before squaring a perfect ball for Gyokeres to tap home.
Saka then decided to get in on the act himself five minutes before the break. After some superb hold-up play from Gyokeres, the “Starboy” ghosted into the box and rifled a low finish past former Gunner Bernd Leno at the near post.
”We clicked immediately,” a beaming Arteta said after the whistle. “When Bukayo and Viktor are in that mood, they are unplayable.”
The rout was completed in first-half stoppage time. Leandro Trossard, tireless as ever, whipped in a delicious cross that Gyokeres met with a thumping header to make it 3-0.
With a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid looming on Tuesday, Arteta had the luxury of withdrawing Saka at the interval. The second half was a mere formality, though youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly earned “Olés” from the North Bank for a midfield masterclass on his full senior debut.
Fulham offered little in response, with Emile Smith Rowe’s quiet return to his old stomping ground ending early due to a knock. For Arsenal, the record-equalling 41st win of the season felt like the most significant one yet.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya; White (Mosquera 83), Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Rice (Zubimendi 64), Eze (Dowman 78); Saka (Madueke 45), Gyokeres (Jesus 64), Trossard.
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Reed (Cairney 64); Wilson (Bobb 64), Smith Rowe (Kusi-Asare 79), Chukwueze (Muniz 64); Jimenez.
