Arsenal’s old and new faces starred as they beat newly-promoted Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League season opener.
Arsenal got Mikel Arteta’s first full campaign up and running through Alexandre Lacazette’s tap-in (9) as debutant Willian’s shot was parried by Marek Rodak, before Willian hit the post with a free-kick.
Willian’s corner was then nodded home by fellow debutant and man-of-the-match Gabriel Magalhaes after the break (49) before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang curled home a beauty from just inside the box from another Willian assist (57) to hand Arsenal a dominant opening-day win.
Arsenal’s momentum and belief was clear to see, with Arteta claiming his 18th win in the last 30 games.
Player ratings
Fulham: Rodak (6), Ream (5), Hector (4), Odoi (6), Bryan (5), Onomah (5), Cairney (5), Reed (5), Kebano (5), Cavaleiro (5), Kamara (4)
Subs: Anguissa (5), Mitrovic (5), Reid (5)
Arsenal: Leno (7), Bellerin (7), Gabriel (8), Holding (7), Tierney (8), Maitland-Niles (7), Elneny (7), Xhaka (7), Willian (8), Aubameyang (7), Lacazette (7)
Subs: Pepe (6), Ceballos (NA), Nketiah (NA)
Man of the match: Gabriel Magalhae
