Viktor Gyokeres scored twice and Bukayo Saka added a third as Arsenal demolished Fulham 3-0 at the Emirates on Saturday to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League with three games remaining.
Gyokeres opened the scoring in the ninth minute, latching onto a Saka assist to finish. Saka doubled the lead in the 40th minute before Gyokeres looped a header over Bernd Leno in first-half stoppage time to put the tie beyond any doubt before the break.
Mikel Arteta was glowing in his assessment of the performance after the full whistle.
“It was a great team performance. There were some great individual performances as well, which is very important. 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.
“We had more players available today. It was a really good balance in terms of the qualities. It was a great performance. We showed a lot of authority, determination and composure. We brought a lot of energy to the stadium.”
Lewis-Skelly handed midfield start
One of the talking points before kick-off was the selection of Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield for his first senior start in that position. The teenager delivered, and Arteta was in no doubt about the character behind the performance.
“I said before, the way he is acting in training, the way he is behaving around the boys is phenomenal.”
Arteta also revealed that Atletico Madrid had rested key players ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League second leg at the Emirates, with Arsenal’s relentless schedule clearly not deterring his side’s preparation.
“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.”
Gyokeres: ‘We’re in a good position’
Gyokeres was measured after a performance that pushed his tally for the season to 14 Premier League goals, resisting the temptation to look too far ahead.
“At this stage, we have to win the games that are left. We showed a good performance and are happy to have got the three points. I think we always go into games believing we’re going to play well and create a lot of chances. Today we did that and we enjoyed it.
“We never stopped believing. We’re not going to. That’s how it is and we keep going. We just need to focus on the next game. It’s been good. We’ve had some good results. We’re on a good path, but we have to stay there and keep going like this.”
On the prospect of silverware at the end of a season in which Arsenal are also 90 minutes from a Champions League final, Gyokeres kept his answer simple. “It’s not so many games left now. We’re in a good position now, so of course we have a good chance.”
Arteta also acknowledged the milestone buried within the result. “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.”
Manchester City face Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday, knowing a defeat would leave Arsenal requiring just one more win from three games to claim a first league title since 2004.
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