Saka masterclass propels Arsenal six points clear as Fulham swept aside 3-0

Key facts

• Arsenal beat Fulham 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium to open a six-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
• Bukayo Saka scored one goal and assisted two others in the first half before being substituted at halftime.
• Viktor Gyokeres scored twice, taking his season tally to 21 goals in all competitions.
• Arsenal's last comfortable league win was a 4-1 victory at Tottenham on February 21.
• Fulham have never won away against Arsenal in 33 matches.
• Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

A first-half blitz settles nerves

Arsenal supporters had almost forgotten what it felt like to win without their nerves being shredded. They were reacquainted with the feeling on an afternoon when everything went right from the start and kept getting better. By halftime, Arsenal led 3-0 and the Emirates Stadium was purring over a virtuoso Bukayo Saka performance. It was all over by the interval. Saka, back in the starting XI after resting an Achilles problem at the end of March, produced a display that could be heard in Manchester. City do not play until Monday night, when they visit Everton, and will kick off six points behind Arsenal, albeit with two games in hand. Arsenal have turned up the heat inexorably.

Saka's devastating cameo

The England winger had not been himself before his enforced break, but here he bristled with assurance, terrifying everyone in Fulham white. He made the opening goal for Viktor Gyokeres in the ninth minute, scored the second himself, and was involved in the build-up to the third, which Gyokeres headed home. Saka set the tone, calming and inspiring everyone in red, teammates and fans alike. He did not reappear for the second half; his work was done. Saka's goal for 2-0 was a whipped finish inside Bernd Leno's near post after Gyokeres held up an Eberechi Eze pass and laid it off. Did Leno anticipate a trademark Saka curler for the other corner? Maybe. But that is the thing with Saka: he can hurt you either way.

Gyokeres doubles up as Arsenal turn the screw

Gyokeres opened the scoring from Saka's low cross, timing his run perfectly to tap in after Saka tied Raul Jimenez in a knot on the right flank. The Swedish striker then headed home Leandro Trossard's cross just before the break to make it 3-0. The move had been sparked when Gabriel Magalhaes stepped up to release Trossard; before that, Saka had retained the ball with supreme confidence and played it inside. Arsenal were not disheartened when Gabriel was denied at close quarters by Leno after a Saka corner, or when the Fulham goalkeeper saved smartly from Gyokeres, with Saka dragging the rebound wide. They simply dug deeper, pushed harder. They could feel it was going to be their day.

Arteta's bold selection pays off

Mikel Arteta made five changes to the team that drew 1-1 at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, a high number by his standards. His most eye-catching decision was to play Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield in place of Martin Zubimendi; the 19-year-old had never started an Arsenal game in midfield. He brought plenty of energy, and that was the collective theme. Arteta's counterpart, Diego Simeone, made 11 changes for Atletico's La Liga trip to Valencia on Saturday, with little to play for in the league. Atletico are fourth and will probably finish there, with their focus on Tuesday's second leg at the Emirates.

Fulham's struggles deepen

Marco Silva's squad have been affected by a virus, but they had to be better than this. Fulham barely turned up, and their historical record at Arsenal remains dismal: they have never won away against the Gunners, a run that now stands at 33 matches. The defeat leaves Fulham in 10th place, with little to play for in the remaining weeks of the season. For Arsenal, the 22-year wait for the title has pushed the boundaries of obsession. This was a game to restore collective belief, and the plus-three in goal difference was very welcome. Arsenal can feel it edging closer.

Champions League looming

With Atletico Madrid visiting on Tuesday for the second leg of their semi-final, the second half did not need to be as intense. Arteta was able to make changes, and his team built confidence ahead of the crucial European showdown. The tie is level at 1-1 after the first leg in Madrid. Arsenal have looked jaded of late, anxious, short of creativity and goals. This comprehensive victory will restore belief as they chase a double that would end their long wait for silverware. The noise at the outset had been really something: the nervous energy of the Arsenal crowd morphing into tremendous encouragement, and their team made the dream start.

Title race heats up

Arsenal have opened a six-point lead over Manchester City, but City have two games in hand. The pressure is now on Pep Guardiola's side to respond when they face Everton on Monday. Arsenal's victory was their most comfortable league win since the 4-1 at Tottenham on February 21, and it came at a crucial moment in the season. For Arsenal, the feeling of winning without shredded nerves is a powerful one. They will need to replicate this performance level in the run-in if they are to hold off City and end their 22-year title drought. The next test comes on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid, with a Champions League final berth at stake.

The bottom line

• Bukayo Saka's first-half masterclass (one goal, two assists) was decisive in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Fulham.
• Arsenal now lead Manchester City by six points, though City have two games in hand.
• Viktor Gyokeres scored twice, taking his season tally to 21 goals across all competitions.
• Mikel Arteta made five changes from the Champions League first leg, including a midfield debut for 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly.
• Fulham have never won away against Arsenal in 33 attempts, a record that continues.
• Arsenal's next match is the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.