ADVERTISEMENT
GOODBYE
The Unai Emery revolution is in full swing. Arsenal only managed one win away from home in the Premier League in 2018 before the Spaniard came in. Today they not only won but scored five on the road. Anyway, that's all we have time for from this game. Join us for live text commentary of Southampton vs Chelsea too which kicks off at 2.15pm BST.
FULL TIME
Fulham had their fair share of the ball in the first half and looked dangerous when they went forward. However, Mitrovic was isolated for large parts of the game and Arsenal negotiated him well. They looked a team desperately short of confidence in the second half as the Gunners rolled them over.
FULL TIME
That was some performance going forward from Arsenal. Lacazette notched two before Aubameyang came off the bench to do the same. There was also a goal of unbelievable quality for Ramsey. Fulham have conceded 21 goals this season and look in real trouble.
FULL TIME: Fulham 1-5 Arsenal
An absolute demolition job from Arsenal who were at times mesmerising in that second half. Nine wins in a row for Unai Emery's side.
GOAL ARSENAL - AUBAMEYANG
91' A five star performance from Arsenal as they add another goal to their afternoon's work. Ramsey plays it in behind for Aubameyang and you just knew he wasn't going to miss, firing the ball into the far corner.
89' A piece of play that rather sums up Fulham's second half as Schurrle looks to cross but gets it all wrong and it goes over the bar.
83' Another sub for Fulham now as Johansen replaces Vietto. He played well in the first half but failed to really get on the ball in the second period.
80' A final change for Arsenal as Matteo Guendouzi is introduced in place of Lacazette.
Easily the best Arsenal have played under Unai Emery. This is a rout for the Gunners.
GOAL ARSENAL - AUBAMEYANG
79' Arsenal absolutely cruising to three points here. Mkhitaryan plays a lovely cross field ball to Bellerin on the right. He crosses it into Aubameyang at the near post who spins and then fires past Bettinelli. Four goals for the Gunners and another wonderful finish.
Aaron Ramsey had been on the pitch for just over 30 seconds before scoring that sensational Arsenal goal. How the Gunners might regret withdrawing that contract offer.
GOAL ARSENAL - RAMSEY
67' Wow. That is phenomenal from Arsenal. Somewhere Arsene Wenger has a beaming smile on his face. This is a remarkable team goal. Ramsey starts proceedings down the right before a combination of flicks and tricks from Bellerin and the Welshman progress Arsenal forward. Ramsey plays it out to Mkhitaryan who then finds Aubameyang on the left. He centres the ball back to Ramsey before he flicks it home expertly via the post. 3-1 Arsenal.
66' A second change of the afternoon for Arsenal as Aaron Ramsey is on in place of Alex Iwobi. Another productive game for the winger who looks rejuvenated under Unai Emery.
62' Subs for either side now as Anguissa is replaced by McDonald for Fulham. Meanwhile, Aubameyang is on for Welbeck. Not a bad change to make when you're winning.
61' An excellent chance for Fulham goes begging as a ball into the box from Christie picks out Kamara but he can't direct goalbound as it comes off his shoulder.
57' Lacazette's hold up play today has been excellent and he draws a foul from Vietto who goes into the book for pulling back the Frenchman's shirt.
54' Fulham substitution as Tim Ream is replaced by Aboubacar Kamara. An attacking change for the hosts as they revert to a back four.
GOAL ARSENAL - LACAZETTE
49' Absolutely brilliant from Alexandre Lacazette. It's a fantastic start to the second period from Arsenal as the Frenchman buries his second of the afternoon. Welbeck nods it into the path of the Gunners striker who hits it first time from distance and finds the back of the net. Bettinelli may have made a great save moments earlier but he couldn't stop that. 2-1 to the visitors.
48' Another good opening for Arsenal as the ball falls to Bellerin on the edge of the box but Bettinelli in the Fulham goal scrawls to his right to make an excellent save from the right back's shot.
47' Iwobi has space yet again down the left and tries to cross to Mkhitaryan at the back post but Le Marchand comes across to cover.
Second half underway
45' The players are back out after the break and Arsenal get us going again.
HALF TIME
Arsenal's passing out from the back for the most part looked improved during that first half. But a lapse in concentration, as it so often has been in the past, was their downfall. Fulham don't look comfortable at the back either, especially down the Gunners left hand side where they've been cut open numerous times.
HALF TIME
A very frustrating time for Arsenal to concede right on the stroke of half time. The Gunners looked in control thanks to Lacazette's goal and they had other chances to further their advantage. However, some sloppy passing from allowed Fulham back into the game. They went close on a couple of occasions before Schurrle found the net.
HALF TIME: Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette and Andre Schurrle with the goals as the teams go into the break level.
GOAL FULHAM - SCHURRLE
44' Fulham are right back in proceedings. Monreal gives the ball away and that allows Vietto to slide in Schurrle who dinks the ball over Leno to make it 1-1. Poor from Arsenal but a very good finish from the German.
42' Arsenal live dangerously at the back as Holding's ball across to Bellerin on the right is cut out by Sessegnon. He picks out Schurrle who is then off target. Fulham's brightest chance of the game so far.
34' Small break in play whilst Lucas Torreira receives some treatment.
33' Mkhitaryan again involved as he tries one from range but drives over the bar for Arsenal.
31' Almost a second for Arsenal who are really motoring now. Iwobi feeds Welbeck on the left once again and Mkhitaryan almost gets across ahead of Ream but Fulham somehow survive.
GOAL ARSENAL - LACAZETTE
29' Arsenal have been overloading the left wing every chance they get and it's another attack down that side of the pitch which causes problems for Fulham. This time it's to devastating effect as Monreal crosses to Lacazette who takes a touch and then fires home. 1-0 to the Gunners.
27' Chance for Fulham as Schurrle collects the ball out on the left flank, he cuts inside and then fires a shot straight at Leno.
23' Welbeck gets down the left channel and tries to pick out Lacazette in the middle but Le Marchand slides in to deny the Arsenal striker a certain goal from close range.
18' The resulting free-kick finds the head of Mustafi but his clearance only goes as far as Mitrovic and he then volleys over.
17' Painful clash as Mitrovic and Monreal both go for the ball which results with both players on the floor and a free-kick to Fulham.
12' Fulham try to play out from the back but in doing so give the ball away to Monreal in a promising area. He looks to drive to the byline but accidentally runs the ball out of play. Not pretty from anyone there.
7' Chance for Mitrovic now at the opposite end as Vietto crosses into the area but Mustafi gets across to slide in and put it out for a corner.
6' Arsenal get in behind for the first time in the game as Xhaka feeds Iwobi down the left. He gets to the byline and looks to square it to Mkhitaryan but the Armenian can't quite get to it.
3' Really poor from Hector Bellerin who gifts the ball to Vietto in the centre of the pitch. He then finds room for a shot from the edge of the box which is deflected before being brilliantly saved by Leno.
2' Early sight of goal for Arsenal as Mkhitaryan receives the ball in the middle of the pitch but strikes an effort wide.
KICK OFF
1' Underway at Craven Cottage.
The teams are out at Craven Cottage, minutes away from kick off in South West London.
Fulham look like they may go with a back three today, with Christie and Sessegnon operating as wing backs. The Cottagers defensive record this season has been poor, with Jokanovic's side yet to keep a clean-sheet this season.
Today is a big chance for a couple of Arsenal's fringe players. Welbeck and Iwobi have started the season very well in the Gunners cup matches but the Premier League is a different beast. Mkhitaryan, meanwhile, hasn't started in the competition since a win over West Ham at the back end of August. On paper it looks a more balanced attack for the Gunners from what we've seen this term, but only time will tell.
Different look to Arsenal
It's an interesting team selection by Unai Emery as Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi keep their places from the midweek win over Qarabag in the Europa League. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is back in the Premier League starting XI in place of Mesut Ozil who misses out with a back spasm. Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are on the bench after missing the trip to Baku. Rob Holding keeps his place among the back four, alongside Shkodran Mustafi which means Sokratis drops to the bench.
Injuries enforce Fulham changes
Two changes for the hosts today then as both full backs are replaced due to injury. Cyrus Christie and Maxime Le Marchand are in for Joe Bryan and Timothy Fosu-Mensah. Jean Michael Seri, who was linked with Arsenal in the past will look to continue his impressive start to the season in midfield. Mitrovic, as expected, leads the line.
Arsenal team
Starting XI: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Monreal, Torreira, Xhaka, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Welbeck, Lacazette. Subs: Martinez, Sokratis, Lichtsteiner, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Aubameyang.
Fulham team
Starting XI: Bettinelli, Christie, Odoi, Ream, Le Marchand, Seri, Anguissa, Vietto, Schurrle, R. Sessegnon, Mitrovic. Subs: Rico, Mawson, S. Sessegnon, McDonald, Johansen, Kamara, Ayite.
50 minutes until kick off at Craven Cottage and we have news of the teams.
How Arsenal would love for a repeat result of those matches. Join us around an hour before kick off for the confirmed teams and to see whether Arsenal can indeed continue their excellent record against Fulham.
Previous encounters
Arsenal have lost just three out of their last 26 matches against Fulham, winning 18 and drawing five. The most recent of clashes was in January 2014 when Arsenal won 2-0 at the Emirates thanks to two goals from Santi Cazorla. The last meeting at Craven Cottage finished 3-1 to the Gunners in 2013.
No extra motivation needed for Fulham
Jokanovic was full of praise for Arsenal in his post-match press conference but stressed his players were ready to fight as they go toe-to-toe with the Gunners. He commented: “They [Arsenal] are the most in-form team in the Premier League, the only team who won the last five games in a row." The Fulham boss continued, "It’s a big club, a good team, and we don’t need any extra motivation. We are going to be ready and motivated for the battle.”
Difficult challenge for the Gunners
Arsenal won just once on the road in the Premier League in 2018 before Arsene Wenger left the club. Since then the Gunners away from has got better. Despite that, Emery recognises the challenge Fulham will present. He said: "Fulham is a very big challenge for us, first because it’s away and second because each match in the Premier League is very, very difficult." Emery added: "Fulham bought very good players like Seri, like Anguissa, and they have Mitrovic and Schurrle too. It’s a very good team and I think their coach is a very good coach with experience in England."
Fulham team news
Slavisa Jokanovic will be without Calum Chambers who misses out due to be being ineligible to face his parent club, with the central defender on loan from Arsenal. Fulham are also without Joe Bryan (hamstring) and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (shoulder). Neeskens Kebano is also out injured with an ankle problem whilst Alfie Mawson remains doubtful.
Arsenal team news
The North Londoners will remain without Petr Cech who suffered a hamstring injury against Watford last weekend. That will give Bernd Leno the opportunity to impress once more. There is good news regarding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, though, who will return to the squad after missing Arsenal's Europa League match with illness. Henrikh Mkhitaryan will also return after not travelling due to political reasons. Aaron Ramsey was another to miss the trip to Baku because of his wife expecting a baby, but he should be back in the squad.
Mitrovic the key
The main man for Fulham so far this season has been Aleksandar Mitrovic who is the joint second top scorer in the league with five goals already this term. Arsenal may be on a winning streak but they've still struggled defensively at the same time. Three clean sheets in four games doesn't tell the whole story for the Gunners who conceded numerous chances against Watford and Qarabag. It's something they won't be able to do against Mitrovic on Sunday.
European fatigue for Arsenal?
The good thing for Fulham, however, will be that Arsenal could potentially be quite tired going into Sunday's encounter. The Gunners had a long flight to Azerbaijan to take on Qarabag in midweek and flew back straight after the game on Thursday night. That left Emery's team with one day of full training. The hosts on the other hand, have had a full week to prepare for this London derby.
Fulham struggling
For all of Fulham's spending over the summer they have yet to really hit the ground running on their return to the Premier League after so much promise. Going into this weekend's fixture the Cottagers sit a place above the relegation zone with just five points from their opening seven fixtures. They've meanwhile failed to win in their last four league games.
Can Arsenal continue their winning streak?
The visitors to Craven Cottage this Sunday are in some form. The Gunners are currently on an eight match winning streak in all competitions and are building ahead of steam nicely. It may have been a difficult start to the season with matches against Manchester City and Chelsea for Unai Emery's team, but they've overcome that tremendously over the past month.
Fulham vs Arsenal
Hello and welcome to VAVEL UK's live text commentary of Fulham vs Arsenal in the Premier League. I'm Matt Dawson and I'll be taking you through today's game which is due to kick off at 12pm. Make sure you follow along for all the build up and then the match action.