Premier League 2025-26: Mikel Arteta cheered as Arsenal end Fulham jinx


Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Fulham was an encouraging sign for the Premier League leaders as the recent battle at Craven Cottage came to an end.

Leandro Trossard’s close-range finish in the 58th minute secured Arsenal’s fifth consecutive win in all competitions.

The Gunners are three points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the title race, with champions Liverpool four points behind ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.

Arsenal only took one point last season in the away games against Newcastle and Fulham, and at home against West Ham.

They have already secured nine points from nine in those games this season, and the victory at Craven Cottage was a first in three visits to the west London club.

Arteta believes these victories are an important statement of intent as Arsenal – runners-up for the last three seasons – look to win the title for the first time since 2004.

“Recent history has not been in our favor and we wanted to change that, as we did at home against Newcastle and West Ham,” Arteta said.

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“And this is another step towards having that mentality and the ability to win these types of games against a very good opponent, and a very difficult place to get to.

«When the context is 0-0 and the match gets longer and longer, it becomes more difficult. But we showed a lot of maturity. We kept knocking on the door in different ways and in the end we found a way, with the set-piece, to do it, but we deserved it.»

In the moments after Trossard’s opener, Bukayo Saka appeared to have earned a penalty when he was turned around at the corner of the penalty area by Fulham substitute Kevin.

Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, but VAR ruled that Kevin had touched the ball before sending Saka off.

Arteta, who was visibly frustrated on the touchline, said: “I got animated because it took so long.

“I asked Anthony ‘why it took so long’. It had nothing to do with the process, the screen just wasn’t working.

“It probably wasn’t a penalty, so they made the right decision in the end, and I was just animated by the process.”

The only sour note for Arteta was that Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres failed to find the net for the seventh game in a row.

Signed from Sporting Lisbon in the final season, Gyokeres has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League after his prolific form for the Portuguese club.

«He was very close again today. We were all begging for him to score,» said Arteta.

«The work rate he puts in for the team is phenomenal. We are trying to give him support and love, and that will come.»

Published on October 19, 2025



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