The Telegraph
"On Arsenal’s last trip to Craven Cottage, Unai Emery’s side won so convincingly that the away supporters left the ground claiming they had “got their Arsenal back”," writes Sam Dean for the Telegraph. "It goes without saying that those chants were a little premature two years ago but, under a different manager at the start of a new season, there will be a similar sense of optimism about what is to come.
"Another comprehensive victory at Craven Cottage provided confirmation of two things that most observers expected to be true this season. Firstly, that Fulham have some gruelling days ahead. And secondly that Arsenal’s capture of Willian could prove to be one of the most significant moves of the summer transfer window.
"Mikel Arteta’s new Brazilian winger was instrumental to their win here, playing a part in all three of their goals against a newly-promoted side that had no answers to his quality.
"The former Chelsea winger skipped past challenges, played a series of incisive passes and generally raised the level of his team-mates in a performance of all-round class.
"Further back in Arsenal’s team, another new arrival made a similarly impressive start. Gabriel Magalhaes, a £25 million signing from Lille, displayed his considerable physical strength on the floor and in the air, scoring Arsenal’s second goal with a downward header from Willian’s corner."
Mirror
Utilising the same system which delivered Charity Shield success, Mikel Arteta again showed fluidity with his Arsenal setup," writes Rich Jones for the Mirror. "When Fulham had the ball, Ainsley Maitland-Niles dropped into a left-back role, allowing Kieran Tierney to tuck in and create a back five.
"But when Arsenal had possession, Maitland-Niles slotted into a midfield role, tucking in centrally as Tierney attacked from full-back.
"That system saw him support Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Maitland-Niles making late runs from midfield.
"The system again worked effectively with Fulham often encouraging them to attack down the left and the fluidity of the formation is a major plus for Arteta."
Independent
"It would be remiss of Gunners fans to think they’re en route to the top four just based on a win over a team likely to be fighting all season along against the drop," writes Karl Matchett for the Independent.
"Similarly, they should be optimistic over the consistency in performance, shape, tactical understanding between players and overall direction the club is heading under Arteta.
"It’s notable they played the same way here as against Man City in the cup last term, against Liverpool in the Community Shield - there’s a style, which will be used on the ball regardless of opponent, albeit in a more aggressive way such as here or with a more defensive initial outlook against the better sides.
"That bodes well for longer-term planning as well as Arteta’s coaching style, as Arsenal look to climb back among the challengers."
"Of course, much tougher tasks lie ahead than Fulham, for whom this was as inauspicious a start as they could have made," writes Rob Draper for the Mail. "But Arsenal are slowly building a quiet confidence.
"Gabriel, the centre half dropped into a Premier League debut perhaps sooner than Arteta might have wished, looked as if he had played here all his life, heading balls away like a stalwart of English football rather than a Sao Paulo native who cut his teeth with Lille in France. In the centre of a back three, he was commanding and authoritative.
"Willian, another native of Sao Paulo state, is more familiar to the ways and memes of Anglo Saxon football and is thoroughly adapted.
"He was busily doing those things he did so well for Chelsea these past seven years, darting in from the right, causing Joe Bryan constant problems. And providing three assists for the three goals.
"Arsenal have a solidity and purpose about them under Arteta.
"The balance between the five attacking players and five defensive players seems right."
