Arsenal ease past Fulham to maintain five-point lead

Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday to maintain a five-point gap over title rivals Manchester City.

Action: A stupendous first half performance from Mikel Arteta's men saw them lead by three goals at half time, with January signing Leandro Trossard in evidence, providing a trio of assists.

The visitors dominated the game from minute goal and took the lead with 16 minutes on the clock, when Gabriel Martinelli went through on goal and had an effort parried by Bernd Leno into Antonee Robinson and into his own net. However, VAR ruled the goal out for offside in the build up.

The Gunners kept the same intensity and managed to break the deadlock five minutes later after Gabriel Magalhães headed home Trossard's corner kick. 

The Cottagers, clearly missing João Palhinha in the middle of the park, couldn't cope with Arsenal and conceded again five minutes later, when Trossard played a lofted ball into the six-yard box, which was headed in by Martinelli.

Arsenal added a third just before half time through skipper Martin Odegaard, who showed his class controlling Trossard's cross and picked out the far corner, giving no chance to former Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno.

The hosts improved in the second half and created chances to score but Aaron Ramsdale denied Bobby de Cordova-Reid's attempt, and Tosin Adarabioyo's header hit the woodwork.

It was the perfect day for the Gunners as there was still time introduce Gabriel Jesus, who made his first appearance since recovering from knee surgery in November.

Big Picture: With this result, Arsenal restore their five-point advantage over Manchester City in the Premier League table, while Fulham remain eigth.

Next up, Mikel Arteta's side will now focus on their Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg against Sporting Lisbon before hosting Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.

Marco Silva's men travel to Manchester United on Sunday for FA Cup's quarter-finals.

xG: Fulham (0.68) 0-3 (2.33) Arsenal

Stat of the Day: Leandro Trossard is the first player in Premier League history to make a hat-trick of assists in the first half of an away game.