We returned to action after a 16-day break with a 2-1 success against Fulham, with Mikel Merino and the returning Bukayo Saka getting on the scoresheet to win another London derby.
It was a super display by Mikel Arteta's team, but why were we so dominant throughout? Adrian Clarke has pored over the stats and footage to unearth the keys to our victory against the Cottagers:
Martinelli was on fire
Our best player on the night was Gabriel Martinelli, who enjoyed his strongest individual performance of the season.
Exploding past Fulham wing back Timothy Castagne at will, the 23-year-old provided the Gunners with drive and penetration every time he took possession of the ball.
His dribble and pinpoint left foot cross for Ethan Nwaneri was one of the first half highlights…
He was unfortunate to have a goal disallowed for offside, but the part Martinelli played in Bukayo Saka’s all-important second goal was simply brilliant.
Carrying the ball with speed and purpose from a turnover, he released Mikel Merino out wide, before sprinting into the danger zone to get on the end of the Spaniard’s cross.
His deft flick was an exquisite touch that left Saka with a simple finish…
When you assess the Brazilian’s match stats it tells the story of a player who was on top of his game.
Martinelli enjoyed seven more touches inside the box than any other Arsenal player, he created the most chances, and pushed himself physically throughout.
Our left winger was absolutely superb.
Gabriel Martinelli's game in numbers Total AFC rank
Chances created 5 1st
Touches in opp box 12 1st
Crosses 9 1st
Sprints 25 1st
Shots 3 Joint 1st
Purposeful running power
Whenever Mikel Arteta’s players committed themselves to making forceful driving runs, we caused Fulham a world of problems.
Up against a five-man rearguard, enterprising movement was required to pierce holes in their defence, and in those moments, we found incisiveness.
Over the course of the game, we made 301 more intensive runs than Marco Silva’s side, who struggled to live with sprints in beyond the last man.
This surging run from Jurrien Timber, exchanging a 1-2 with Martin Odegaard, was one example of how our physical exertions bore fruit.
Our right back was unlucky not to score when hitting the target with his strike…
We have already highlighted Martinelli’s runs in the build-up to the second goal, but ahead of Mikel Merino’s opener, another penetrative sprint was also rewarded.
Credit initially should go to Thomas Partey for spotting Timber’s inverted position, breaking the lines with a delightful angled forward pass…
That ball gave our right back the time to measure a perfectly weighted through ball for Ethan Nwaneri, who caught Antonee Robinson flat-footed with his well-timed burst.
From there, the 18-year-old cut the ball back for Merino to score…
In the second period Martinelli was just a fraction offside when Odegaard released him in behind, but the wingers’ brilliant angled run into the strikers’ position for his disallowed goal was excellent.
It is just the type of sprint he should be looking to replicate on a regular basis.
Teenagers shine again
Ethan Nwaneri’s terrific cutback assist for Merino’s opener was his 10th goal involvement this season (eight goals, two assists).
At 18 years and 11 days old he is the second youngest player to reach that landmark across Europe’s big five leagues in 2024/25, behind Barcelona’s brilliant Lamine Yamal (17 years, 77 days).
Nwaneri did not misplace a single pass all evening, completing all 25 of his passes before coming off in the 66th minute.
Just behind him with another show of excellent decision-making was Myles Lewis-Skelly, who ended the night with 96.3% pass accuracy, completing 52 of 54 passes.
Using his body to great effect once again, Lewis-Skelly also drew an incredible SEVEN fouls.
No defender has won more fouls in a single match since the 2017/18 Premier League campaign.
On a per 90 minutes basis. Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes is the only top-flight player who is fouled more often than our teenage left back.
Premier League 2024/25 (minimum 10 starts) - most fouled players per 90
Bruno Guimaraes - 3.41
Myles Lewis-Skelly - 3.15
James Maddison - 3.12
Jordan Ayew - 2.92
John McGinn - 2.77
Key contributions from Merino
Mikel Merino’s sixth Premier League strike for Arsenal – the 5th that was the first goal of the game - set us on our way to victory on MW30.
It took a big deflection off Jorge Cuenca, but our stand-in striker’s footwork in a tight area was terrific in helping him find room to get his shot away.
Once again, the Spain international also worked tirelessly for the side.
Merino made 375 intensive runs (a team high) and covered an impressive distance of 12.13km, which was second only to Martin Odegaard’s 12.16km on the evening.
That central pair are magnificent pressers, and together they closed Fulham’s defenders down with great energy.
Most pressures v Fulham
Mikel Merino - 45
Martin Odegaard - 36
Ethan Nwaneri - 17
Gabriel Martinelli - 13
Leandro Trossard - 13
Eight of Merino’s 45 pressures resulted in a turnover, and from one of those situations we scored a crucial second goal.
Sprinting forward to harass Joachim Andersen, he forced an error, with the Fulham defender picking out Declan Rice with a wayward pass.
Always on the move, Merino then made an intelligent arcing run towards the left wing that stretched play, and gave Martinelli an option to pass.
Without that movement, taking defenders away from the box, or his subsequent cross, Saka would not have enjoyed celebrating a goal on his long-awaited return.
A first for Saka
A cacophony of noise greeted Bukayo Saka as he stepped onto the Emirates Stadium pitch for the first time since December 18.
Then, just six minutes and 36 seconds after coming on, the 23-year-old scored his 68th goal for the club – but his first ever as a substitute!
Getting into the right place at the right time, it was a straightforward header for Saka, but given the joy it brought him and Gooners everywhere, it is a cherished moment he will never forget.
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