Arsenal made a flying begin to the brand new Premier League season as Gabriel Magalhaes grabbed a debut aim and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a stunner in Saturday’s 3-Zero win at Fulham. Simply 48 days after final season’s delayed conclusion, the Premier League is again and Arsenal hit the bottom working with the sort of assured show that has develop into their hallmark since Mikel Arteta took cost.
Arsenal’s free-flowing assault was too incisive for promoted Fulham and Alexandre Lacazette gave the guests an early lead at Craven Cottage.
Brazilian defender Gabriel scored Arsenal’s second after the break in his first look since his close-season transfer from Lille.
Aubameyang added the ultimate flourish with a sometimes eye-catching strike that emphasised why Arsenal are so determined for the Gabon ahead to signal an extension to the contract which expires on the finish of the season.
Arteta has mentioned that followers involved Aubameyang will depart can “calm down” as a result of he’s “very optimistic” his captain will agree a brand new deal quickly.
With former Chelsea winger Willian offering a pair of assists on his debut, it was the perfect means for Arsenal to begin a season that seems filled with promise after final season’s FA Cup triumph.
Though their eighth-placed end within the Premier League ranked as Arsenal’s lowest closing place since 1995, Arteta had little to do with that after taking cost in December following the dismal reign of Unai Emery.
The previous Manchester Metropolis assistant coach has been a much-needed breath of contemporary air for Arsenal and pushing for a spot within the high 4 shouldn’t be past his revitalised staff this time period.
Whereas the continued absence of followers because of the coronavirus and shorter than ordinary break has taken slightly anticipation away from the brand new marketing campaign, Arsenal have been keener than most to get again in motion after beating Chelsea within the FA Cup closing.
The Gunners had underlined their speedy enchancment by defeating Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield final month and Fulham have been no match for them.
– Crumbling Fulham –
The one darkish cloud for Arteta was a pre-match spat between Dani Ceballos and Eddie Nketiah.
The pair needed to be separated by Arsenal team-mates after Nketiah reacted to an aggressive problem from Ceballos whereas a bunch of gamers have been exchanging passes within the warm-up.
Arteta will need to have been alarmed when Ainsley Maitland-Niles hit a weak again move that induced confusion between Gabriel and recalled keeper Bernd Leno early on.
Aboubakar Kamara nipped in however Leno managed to avoid wasting at his toes earlier than the Fulham ahead might get a shot away.
Arteta’s worries have been eased when Lacazette netted within the ninth minute.
Granit Xkaha’s strike compelled a miscued clearance from Tim Ream and Willian pounced with a close-range shot that Fulham keeper Marek Rodak might solely push out to Lacazette, who slotted residence from just about on the goalline.
It made Lacazette the primary participant to attain the opening aim of a Premier League marketing campaign twice after the French striker additionally bagged the opener in 2017-18.
Willian was denied a debut aim when his low free-kick cannoned off the bottom of the put up.
Gabriel was having fun with a composed debut and the 22-year-old confirmed he generally is a aim menace as effectively when he doubled Arsenal’s lead within the 49th minute.
Willian swung over the nook and Gabriel confirmed his want as he rose above Michael Hector for an tried header that hit his shoulder because it flashed into the online.
Promoted
Fulham’s defence was crumbling just like the just lately demolished Craven Cottage stand and Aubameyang completed them off within the 57th minute with a carbon copy of his Neighborhood Protect aim in opposition to Liverpool.
Simply as at Wembley, Willian’s very good cross-field move picked out Aubameyang and he was allowed to advance unchecked into the world earlier than bending a fantastic end into the far nook.
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