Arsenal won their first match of the young Premier League season in impressive fashion on Saturday with a convincing 3-1 victory over London neighbours Fulham at a soaking wet Craven Cottage. Thanks to a pair of strikes by Lukas Podolski, a single by Olivier Giroud and some fine saves by keeper Wojciech Szczesny the Gunners were able to comfortably take all three points back to the Emirates even after Darren Bent put the Cottagers on the scoreboard late in the game.
Jack Wilshere sat the start of this match out with Podolski starting and Bacary Sagna filled in at centre-back since Laurent Koscielny was out with a suspension after being sent off with two yellows against Aston Villa last week in a 3-1 loss. Carl Jenkinson was inserted into the right-back position. Theo Walcott had the game’s first chance when he beat Fulham’s offside trap, bud keeper David Stockdale thwarted him from close range. But just like a week ago, Arsenal jumped out to an early lead when Giroud scored his third goal in three games in the 14th minute of play.
Aaron Ramsey took a low shot from a distance from the right side of the pitch and the ball made its way to the feet of Giroud. The French striker took it under control and slid it under Stockdale. Fulham came close to leveling the score shortly after, but Szczesny made an excellent double save on Adel Taarabt and then Damien Duff. Fulham started to come alive though and controlled the proceedings for lengthy spells, but their efforts came to no avail.
Podolski doubled the lead after 41 minutes when Santi Cazorla sprinted down the centre of the pitch and laid the ball off to Walcott. The Englishman shot from the right side and Stockdale managed to keep the ball out of the goal, but it bounced out to the edge of the penalty area. Podolski was there waiting for it and hammered it home past the helpless keeper. Podolski had a chance to make it 3-0 just before half time, but his left-footed shot skimmed past the post.
The match was then more or less put out of Fulham’s reach after 68 minutes when Podolski gave the Gunners a 3-0 stranglehold. Giroud fed Walcott, who in turn passed to Cazorla, and he laid it back for the powerful German who then drilled in another left-footed shot past Stockdale. However, Darren Bent, who many Fulham fans will question why he didn’t start the match, gave the club and supporters some faint hope when he tapped in Dmitar Berbatov’s rebound with 13 minutes remaining.
Berbatov forced the Szczesny into making a save from his close range shot, but the keeper palmed the ball straight into the path of Bent, who was making his Fulham debut, and he simply deposited it into the net. The goal means Bent has now scored for six different Premier League clubs throughout his career and some Aston Villa fans will be wondering why the natural goal scorer has been loaned to the London club for the season.
Bent’s goal was a case of too little too late though and the Gunners came out as deserved winners. They’ll be back on the pitch on Tuesday when they meet Turkish side Fenerbahce in the second leg of their Champions league playoff series. Arsenal has a 3-0 lead after the first match in Istanbul and would have to self destruct to blow it at the Emirates.
Arsenal Player Ratings-Sat. Aug. 24
Fulham 0-Arsenal 3-Premier League match 2
Wojciech Szczesny-7.5
Szczesny made several good saves today with the best being a double effort in the first half against Taarabt and the rebound against Duff. His only mistake was pushing Berbatov’s shot back out into the feet of Bent, who put it in the net.
Carl Jenkinson-7
Jenkinson had a good game and put in some fine crosses. He might have helped prevent the Fulham goal if he had kept a closer eye on Bent.
Bacary Sagna-7
Sagna played well filling in at centre back. He put in some nice tackles and may actually be better in this position.
Per Mertesacker-7.5
The big German won numerous balls in the air for clearances and always seemed to be in position.
Kieran Gibbs-7
Gibbs played well defensively and offensively. Lost possession of the ball though and it led to Fulham’s goal.
Aaron Ramsey-8
A wonderful game by Ramsey in the centre of the pitch especially when attacking. He set up the first goal, perhaps accidentally, but they all count.
Tomas Rosicky-7
Rosicky had a solid match, but didn’t stand out. He’s doing his job without making any major errors. Was replaced by Jack Wilshere after 70 minutes.
Santi Cazorla-8
Cazorla was top class today and set up several chances. Just give him the freedom to go where he pleases and you’ll get the best out of him. Assisted on Podolski’s second goal.
Theo Walcott-7.5
Walcott threatened on several occasions and wasn’t afraid to shoot when he had the chance. This attitude led to Podolski’s first goal.
Lukas Podolski-8
Podolski wasn’t really involved in the match until scoring after 41 minutes. He then got in to it and his two goals showed he’s a clinical finisher. Was taken off after 81 minutes for Yaya Sanogo
Olivier Giroud-8
Giroud has a goal in each game and was great in the air. He also completed numerous fist-touch passes and was in top form. Was taken off after 72 minutes for Nacho Monreal in a bit of an odd move by Arsene Wenger.
Substitutes
Jack Wilshere-7
Came on for Rosicky after 70 minutes. Wilshere was good in both ends if the pitch and was quite energized.
Nacho Monreal-6
Came on after 72 minutes for Giroud and fit in fine.
Yaya Sanogo-5.5
Sanogo made his Premier League debut when he replaced Podolski after 81 minutes. He didn’t really have the time to make an impression.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
