Arsenal swat aside Fulham as Pierre-Emerick Aumbameyang strikes again
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal bounced back from its mauling by Liverpool by easing past Fulham 4-1 in the Premier League to move to within two points of the Champions League qualification positions on Tuesday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wrapped up a routine victory in the 84th minute with his 14th goal of the campaign, leaving him the league's top scorer and giving him as many in 21 games as Alexandre Lacazette managed in leading Arsenal last season.
Lacazette was also on target at Emirates Stadium, scoring between strikes by Granit Xhaka and substitute Aaron Ramsey.
Fulham was well-beaten but briefly just 2-1 down when substitute Aboubakar Kamara tapped in from close range in the 69th. Kamara was dropped to the bench against Arsenal after disobeying manager Claudio Ranieri's orders by taking a penalty — which he subsequently missed — in a 1-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday.
Arsenal was thrashed 5-1 by Liverpool on the same day in its heaviest loss since Unai Emery joined in the offseason. With the win over Fulham, fifth-placed Arsenal moved six points ahead of sixth-placed Manchester United, which plays Newcastle on Wednesday.
AP
Match preview
What time does it start?
Arsenal vs Fulham kicks off at 3pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live on TV or online in the UK.
Independent Sport will keep you up to date with the action via our live blog.
Player to watch…
Aleksandar Mitrovic: It would have been easier to name an Arsenal player but with the Gunners’ defence a clear weakness, they will need to be very wary of the danger Mitrovic brings. The Serbian striker saved his side on Saturday after slotting the ball under the keeper to win his side the three points. That was his first goal in seven games so he’ll be feeling confident travelling to Arsenal, making him even more of a threat.
Form guide…
- Arsenal: LDWLWD
- Fulham: WDDLLD
Odds…
- Arsenal to win: 33/100
- Fulham to win: 8/1
- Draw: 23/5
Prediction…
Arsenal 3-1 Fulham: Arsenal will be looking to please the fans after a very poor display against Liverpool and I feel they’ll come out firing. With the form Aubameyang is currently on, it’s going to be very difficult for the Fulham back line to keep him at bay.
Not Arsenal's best performance, but one that ends with four goals and three points nonetheless. Goals from Granit Xhaka, Alexandre Lacazette, replacement Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secure a 4-1 home victory.
Fulham will rue their missed chances, particularly those in the first half. Twice Ryan Sessegnon should perhaps have scored while the game was still goalless, while Aleksandar Mitrovic failed to find the net from close range in the second half.
Sergio Rico made a string of strong saves to limit the damage, but the game only served to underline Fulham's fragility at the back. Claudio Ranieri may be looking for January reinforcements in that area, and perhaps at other positions as he looks to sculpt his squad entering his first transfer window at the club.
That's all from us here this afternoon. The Independent will have plenty of reaction to and analysis of Arsenal's win after Unai Emery's side notched a crucial three points to continue their push to break back into the top-four.
I've been Harry Latham-Coyle - thank you for joining me.
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