EPL 2018/19-Fulham v Arsenal: 4 Things we observed from the game

Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Arsenal thumped London rivals Fulham in an entertaining contest especially in the first half, as both teams looked to cancel out each other.

However, it was the Gunners quality that made the difference in the second half, with Lacazette and Aubameyang both scoring a brace and Aaron Ramsey finishing a fine team move which he started himself. Many have tipped Ramsey's goal as a contender for the goal of the season.

However, there are a number of things that were observed during the course of the game.


#1 The team is brimming with confidence

Aaron Ramsey scores an incredible back-flip goal against Fulham
Aaron Ramsey scores an incredible back-flip goal against Fulham

There is no doubt about the fact that Arsenal are a team on a high, having racked up nine straight wins in all competitions after their loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The way Arsenal have recovered, having lost the first two games of the season against the last two EPL champions, i.e Manchester City and Chelsea, has impressed a lot of fans around the globe.

However, the team has picked themselves up from those two defeats and have done extremely well to put these number of wins together.

The third goal scored by Ramsey is a testament to the fact that the squad is growing in confidence. The move started with Hector Bellerin who fed Ramsey close to the gunners 18-yard box.

Ramsey finished the move off a fine team goal by flicking the ball with his backheel into the net. Another thing that caught the eye was the flicks and tricks and led to the goal, an indicator of the confidence flowing through the team.

Alex Iwobi (l) and Hector Bellerin (r) are showing good signs of improvement under Emery
Alex Iwobi (l) and Hector Bellerin (r) are showing good signs of improvement under Emery

#2 Iwobi and Bellerin have stepped up

Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Both players grew up in the youth ranks of the Hale End Academy and have seen their form dipped in recent seasons especially for Hector Bellerin. The Spaniard had his best season in the 2015/2016 when he was nominated in the PFA team of the year. He was phenomenal.

For Iwobi, he has not really lived up to expectation since he was given the chance to break into the Gunners first team under Arsene Wenger.

Since Unai Emery took over, both players seemed to have been re-born. Bellerin seemed to be playing with more freedom and already has two assists to his name in the Premier League this season. Surely, the hard work he has been put through by Emery from preseason till date is beginning to yield dividends.

For Iwobi, it must be said that he has made giant strides this season. He put this down to Unai Emery instilling confidence in him. The 22-year-old forward said of his own form: “The manager has given me a lot of confidence, telling me to be positive when I get the ball.

“Whenever I am called upon to play, I always try to give my best and make sure that I can impose myself on the game.”

#3 Lacazette is Arsenal's new fox in the box

Lacazette fires Arsenal into the lead for the second time against Fulham
Lacazette fires Arsenal into the lead for the second time against Fulham

The Frenchman looks like a player determined to prove his doubters wrong especially with the French national team. It would have been sad for him to see his teammates at international level lift the World Cup. But he definitely has transformed his determination into his form.

His two goals against Fulham show how lethal he is in front of goal. His swivel to turn his marker and shoot at the near post is a quality of a striker's finish and of course, his second goal shows he can score from anywhere outside the 18-yard box.

As has been shown by him since he arrived at the Emirates from Lyon. Arsenal's hopes of clinching a top-four spot rest on Lacazette's shoulders.

#4 Emery needs to work on the concentration levels of the team

Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League

As seen in some parts of games this season, the team still needs to work on their concentration levels which at times lead them to giving the ball away cheaply, especially in their own half. Fulham's leveler before the interval is an example.

Monreal's loose pass was capitalized upon by Fulham, and Luciano Vietto slid in a pass for Schurrle who had a run at goal, lobbing the ball past the onrushing Leno.

If this is worked upon, the Gunners will definitely concede fewer goals. Lastly, the energy that Unai Emery has brought to the touchline. which has been missing during the days of Arsene Wenger, has sparked life into the players.

Lucas Torreira is very crucial to how Arsenal play. His ball-winning abilities in the middle of the park have led to counter attacking opposition teams. Although he is young and has some things to learn, you kind of get the feeling that he is what the Gunners have been missing for years to help them stabilize the defense.

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Edited by Abhinav Munshi