Arsenal take on Fulham this evening when the Premier League resumes following the international break.
A pause in proceedings has allowed the teams to regroup and assess what they need to do to end the season on a high with Arsenal fighting for the Premier League and Champions League titles. The Gunners are 12 points back in the top-flight and will need Liverpool to slip up if they have any chance of winning the trophy in May.
Mikel Arteta’s side will also need a clean sweep of victories to keep the pressure on Arne Slot’s Reds which starts when they host a Fulham team recently knocked out of the FA Cup.
Marco Silva’s men were beaten 3-0 at the weekend by Crystal Palace in a uncharacteristically weak performance. The Cottagers have performed well against teams above them in the table and they have the chance to close the gap to the top four should they beat Arsenal.
Follow all the updates from the Emirates Stadium with our live blog below:
Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
He’s been brilliant all night but Martinelli wastes a chance here, having put himself through with a great first touch.
Saka was free on the opposite side and would’ve tapped in with a squared pass, but the Brazilian’s second touch was far too heavy.
Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
It’s pretty comfortable for the hosts now despite that Muniz miss – you do get the feeling Fulham have wasted their chances for the evening.
Raya collects a cross and Arsenal are just trying to nullify the visitors at the moment.
Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
CLOSE! How has he missed?!
It’s a golden chance for the visitors.
Iwobi picks the ball up in midfield and makes his way into the box unchallenged, with Partey hesitating before the Nigerian winger puts a perfect cross in to an unmarked Muniz.
The striker is about five yards out but he puts his header wide of the target!
Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
Some subs after that second goal, with Diop and Jimenez coming off for Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Muniz.
For Arsenal, Timber is replaced by Leandro Trossard.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
GOAL! This is brilliant stuff from the hosts.
Rice wins it back in midfield and ships it off to Martinelli, who beats two challenges before slipping it to Kiwior and making a central run into the box.
The defender makes the cross and it comes to Martinelli, who produces a lovely back-heel to flick the ball on to Saka, who simply has to nod into an empty net!
Arsenal 1-0 Fulham
Declan Rice is the first Arsenal player in the book as he drags back Diop on the counter.
Arsenal 1-0 Fulham
Despite Arsenal’s dominance, there have been a couple of reminders of the Fulham attacking threat.
Plenty in the Emirates will feel like they need a second here, as Saka’s first cross is met by Martinelli at the far post, but his header across goal is cleared.
Arsenal 1-0 Fulham
Huge cheers as Ethan Nwaneri makes way for Bukayo Saka!
Fulham make changes too, as Lukic, Traore and Smith Rowe come off for Andreas Pereira, Willian and Alex Iwobi.
Arsenal 1-0 Fulham
A pretty big chance for Fulham but it goes to waste!
Kiwior tries to take the ball down but Traore dispossesses him and he’s basically 1-v-1. He leaves the Polish defender behind but scuffs his shot when he should’ve looked up and seen Jimenez alone, unmarked and with a chance at a tap-in!
Arsenal 1-0 Fulham
A great corner from Rice nearly ends in a goal but Martinelli’s back-post header is cleared almost off the line.
At the second set-piece, the ball falls to Merino about seven yards out but his half-volley is also deflected behind!
Source: independent.co.uk
