London: Arsenal tightened their grip at the summit of the English Premier League with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Fulham in a tense London derby on Sunday. The win, powered by a solitary goal from Leandro Trossard, ensured that Mikel Arteta’s men maintained their position at the top of the table, continuing their impressive run of form this season.
The match began with both sides showing early intent, but Arsenal’s precision and pressing game gradually tilted the contest in their favour. Despite Fulham’s disciplined defensive structure in the first half, Arsenal’s relentless attacking rhythm finally paid dividends shortly after the break.
The decisive moment arrived in the 58th minute, when Arsenal earned a corner from the right flank. The delivery, flicked into a crowded box, found Trossard lurking at the back post. The Belgian winger displayed superb composure, guiding the ball into the net with a deft knee finish a moment of brilliance that ultimately separated the two London sides.
Following the goal, Arsenal controlled possession with maturity, denying Fulham any real opportunity to equalize. Goalkeeper David Raya remained largely untested, thanks to a well-drilled backline led by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, who kept Fulham’s frontmen at bay.
With this victory, Arsenal extended their tally to 19 points from eight matches, having secured six wins, one draw, and one loss. The Gunners now sit comfortably atop the Premier League table, ahead of Manchester City, who are second with 16 points from the same number of games.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised his side’s resilience after the match, highlighting their ability to grind out results in tightly contested fixtures. “These are the kind of games that define a season. The players showed character, focus, and belief and that made the difference,” Arteta said in the post-match conference.
For Fulham, it was another frustrating outing in front of goal. Despite moments of promise, Marco Silva’s men struggled to penetrate Arsenal’s high defensive line and failed to capitalize on set-piece opportunities. The defeat leaves them hovering in the lower half of the table, with urgent improvements needed to regain consistency.
As Arsenal continue their pursuit of Premier League glory, the Gunners’ faithful will take comfort in their team’s growing momentum and depth of character. With leaders like Trossard, Odegaard, and Saka in top form, Arsenal appear determined to sustain their title challenge as the season unfolds.