LONDON – In a commanding display that has shifted the momentum of the 2024-25 Premier League title race, Arsenal crushed Fulham 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, opening up a six-point gap over defending champions Manchester City and sending a clear warning that Mikel Arteta’s side is still hungry to end their 22-year top-flight title drought.
Two first-half goals from Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, split by a clinical finish from winger Bukayo Saka, wrapped up all three points for the Gunners before the halftime whistle, capping a dominant opening 45 minutes that left Fulham unable to mount a meaningful comeback. The result gives Arsenal a crucial cushion ahead of Manchester City’s first of two games in hand, which sees Pep Guardiola’s side travel to face Everton on Monday night.
The win comes as a major confidence boost for Arsenal, who stumbled through rocky patches in April with damaging losses to both Manchester City and Bournemouth, leading to widespread speculation that the club was once again set to collapse under the pressure of a late title push. But Arteta’s side has bounced back in clinical fashion, shifting all pressure back onto the reigning champions, who can draw level on points with Arsenal with wins in both their outstanding fixtures. Even if City do pick up six points from these games, Arsenal currently hold a superior goal difference that could still prove decisive when the season concludes.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, Arteta reflected on his side’s position, noting: “Game two done. Another three to go. We won the most games in the history of this club in a whole season and it’s not finished. It was a critical game because we knew the importance of the win and the goal difference in the Premier League. It was a great team performance. We started in the game as we wanted. Very lively. Really intense in the high press. We got the crowd going and when this stadium creates that kind of atmosphere, it can be difficult for the opposition.”
A standout talking point from the match was the performance of Saka, who made his first start since recovering from an Achilles injury that kept him sidelined for five matches. The England international was a constant threat on the right flank, and Arteta hailed his impact at the most critical stage of the campaign. “We know what he is capable of. He comes back at the most important part of the season. His mind is fresh, he has the hunger,” Arteta added. “We are ramping up his minutes. We need to be careful because we need him on the pitch.”
After a string of anxious, tight performances in recent weeks, Saturday’s game saw Arsenal return to the free-flowing, aggressive attacking style that carried them to the top of the table in the first half of the season. Arteta says the performance reflects the unshakable belief in the dressing room that this is the year the club ends their wait for a league title, having finished as runners-up in each of the last three seasons.
“It says to us and our dressing room that we keep the dream alive. What our guys have done in these circumstances, without so many injured players at different times, it is incredible,” he said. “This is going to carry the energy into the next game.”
That next game is far from a gentle test: just three days after the Fulham win, Arsenal host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, with the tie tied at 1-1. A win on Tuesday will book Arsenal a place in the Champions League final for only the second time in the club’s history, and the first since 2006. Arteta says his side has managed to avoid distraction from the huge European fixture, and carried the same intensity into the Fulham match that they will need to progress.
“We talk about hunger and we had that today. Understanding that you don’t want to be distracted by a huge game here on Tuesday, we played with authority and desire,” Arteta said. “We have a lot of rhythm. We are used to playing every three days and we will play one of the biggest games in the history of this stadium.”
Before turning his focus to the Champions League, however, Arteta says he will be settling down to watch Manchester City’s trip to Everton on Monday, with the outcome of the match set to shape the rest of Arsenal’s season. When asked if he would be tuning in, he replied: “Yes because I love football and there is so much at stake.”