ready for rest and return Gabriel Jesus


Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 4:54 PM• Rian Rosendaal

Arsenal have digested the midweek obligation in the Europa League well. The leader in the Premier League won easily and with large numbers in the London derby with Fulham on Sunday: 0-3. The Gunners were already done with the fellow townsman at halftime and, thanks to the resounding victory, are again five points above Manchester City, which won 0-1 against Crystal Palace with the necessary effort on Saturday. A bonus for Arsenal was the return of Gabriel Jesus after an absence of several months.

Manager Mikel Arteta made five changes from Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Sporting Portugal. Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard returned to the starting line-up. Gabriel Martinelli played from the left again and Reiss Nelson, the hero of the 3-2 win over Bournemouth, Jorginho and Fábio Vieira were reserve players at Craven Cottage. At Fulham, Tosin Adarabioyo started as a replacement for Issa Diop in the center of defense. Willian, with a short-lived history at Arsenal, was not fit enough and manager Marco Silva opted for Bobby Decordova-Reid in midfield this time.

Arsenal seemed to be 0-1 after fifteen minutes. Bernd Leno, also with a past with the visitors, saved on a spinning shot from Martinelli. The unfortunate Antonee Robinson then worked the ball into his own goal. However, Arsenal’s opening goal was canceled because Martinelli was offside shortly before his shot. The leader broke the ban shortly afterwards. Gabriel, who had come along, headed impeccably from a measured corner kick from Trossard. It was already his third goal in four appearances against Fulham for the mandekker. Arteta’s men completed the job in west London before the break.

Trossard was too fast for right back Tete in the 26th minute and passed Martinelli, who knocked Robinson in the air to make it 0-2. Shortly before the half-time signal, all tension was gone. The excellent Martinelli found Trossard and the winter signing managed to find Ødegaard with a cross from the back line. The Norwegian captain accepted on the chest and then scored with a curled ball into the bottom corner. A generous and fully deserved lead for Arsenal halfway through the 27th game in the Premier League.

Little happened after the break, although Aleksandar Mitrovic still hit the crossbar and Arsenal claimed a penalty after Saka was knocked down by Robinson. The ball did not hit the spot and the list captain played the game professionally. The fans who traveled along made themselves heard when Gabriel Jesus made his comeback in the final phase, after an absence of almost four months due to injuries. He last played for his employer before the World Cup in Qatar. The Brazilian attacker even almost scored, although his shot was not hard enough to make it difficult for Leno. Arsenal can now focus on Sporting Portugal’s visit to London on Thursday.

No. Team m W G v +/- Pnt
1 Arsenal 27 21 3 3 37 66
2 Manchester City 27 19 4 4 42 61
3 Manchester United 26 15 5 6 6 50
4 Tottenham Hotspur 27 15 3 9 12 48
5 Liverpool 26 12 6 8 18 42
6 Newcastle United 24 10 11 3 18 41
7 Brighton & Hove Albion 24 11 6 7 14 39
8 Fulham 27 11 6 10 1 39
9 Brentford 25 9 11 5 7 38
10 Chelsea 26 10 7 9 1 37
11 Aston Villa 26 10 5 11 -7 35
12 Crystal Palace 26 6 9 11 -12 27
13 Wolverhampton W. 26 7 6 13 -16 27
14 Nottingham Forest 26 6 8 12 -26 26
15 Everton 27 6 7 14 -18 25
16 Leicester City 26 7 3 16 -9 24
17 West Ham United 26 6 6 14 -10 24
18 AFC Bournemouth 26 6 6 14 -26 24
19 Leeds United 26 5 8 13 -11 23
20 Southampton 26 6 4 16 -21 22