Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Leandro Trossard struck the winner as he kneed in from close range from a Bukayo Saka corner, which had been flicked on at the near post by Gabriel just shy of the hour. The Gunners were on the back foot in the early exchanges as the hosts looked to take the game to their capital counterparts, as Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez looked energised in the final third.
Wilson himself had a handful of efforts that he dragged wide of the target, while Jimenez linked play effectively on his return to the side. Riccardo Calafiori thought he had opened the scoring with a sweeping beauty into the far corner on 16 minutes, but the Italian’s strike was ruled out for offside. Mikel Arteta’s side grew into the affair, with Viktor Gyokeres stinging the palms of Bernd Leno in the first half’s only shot on target. Bukayo Saka tested the former Arsenal shot-stopper with a rasping drive in the second period, but the German got down smartly to keep out the England international.
Finally, as it so often is with the north Londoners, it took a set play to break the deadlock. Saka’s deliveries from the right up to that point hadn’t been great, but he clipped in a delightful ball, helped on by Gabriel, which Trossard helped home as he ghosted in at the far post. Another three points on the road for the Gunners, who retake their place at the summit, having been displaced momentarily by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who eased past Everton 2-0 earlier in the day.
Fulham vs Arsenal latest news
- GREAT SAVE! Leno keeps out Saka
- GOAL! Trossard opens scoring
- NO GOAL! Calafiori strike disallowed
- GOOD SAVE! Leno denies Gyokeres
Arsenal player ratings
19:45 , Oli GentSimon Collings was on hand to rate the Arsenal players...
Trossard on target as Arsenal reclaim top spot
19:44 , Oli GentIt’s another three points for Arsenal in their pursuit of a first Premier League title since 2003.
Leandro Trossard was their match-winner at Craven Cottage. 1-0 to the Arsenal, as their fans sing.
FT: Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:32 , Oli GentThere we have it. Arsenal win. Again. They’re back on top of the Premier League.
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE Premier League action.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:30 , Oli Gent90+6 mins: Christian Norgaard is on for his Premier League debut for Arsenal, replacing Gyokeres. Another game without a goal for the Swede.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:26 , Oli Gent90+4 mins: Arsenal are slowing things down as they look to wind down time... but it breaks for Gyokeres, and Leno denies him! Martinelli follows up, and the German produces a great save again!
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:23 , Oli Gent90 mins: Nine added minutes. The home fans like that.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:21 , Oli Gent89 mins: Timber wins it at the near post, but Jimenez can hack clear for the hosts.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:21 , Oli Gent88 mins: Saka looks for Zubimendi on the right, and the Nigerian, sliding in, concedes the corner. That did touch the Spaniard last, however...
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:19 , Oli Gent86 mins: Despite the penalty scare, Kevin has been bright since coming on. He wins a corner well down the left. What can he do with it... it’s defended at the front post by Calafiori.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:14 , Oli Gent83 mins: Adama Traore and Calvin Bassey are on for Cuenca and Wilson.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:13 , Oli Gent81 mins: Gabriel Martinelli replaces Trossard.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:13 , Oli Gent80 mins: Close! Gyokeres looks to wrestle his way in behind with a bouncing ball, and he snatches at the chance, blazing it over.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:10 , Oli Gent78 mins: Free kick, Fulham. Kevin wins a set piece from a forceful Saliba challenge.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:07 , Oli Gent75 mins: Kevin sends in a delivery, but Gabriel throws himself at it to clear from his countryman.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:04 , Oli Gent72 mins: Iwobi looks to tease in a cross from the right... but that’s straight into the hands of Raya, who, really, has had nothing of note to do.
Simon Collings reports
19:01 , Oli Gent69 mins: That took an absolute age, but we got the right call in the end.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
19:01 , Oli Gent67 mins: Anthony Taylor is going to the monitor to review the decision... and disallows it!
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
18:58 , Oli Gent66 mins: VAR are checking this... the replay shows that the Fulham substitute did get a touch on the ball first. Marco Silva is pleading his side’s case.
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
18:57 , Oli Gent65 mins: Penalty! Arsenal have a spot-kick, as Kevin brings down Saka! The hosts are furious, claiming that the Brazilian got the ball... replay shows that he gets some studs on top of the ball there...
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
18:56 , Oli Gent64 mins: Great save! Saka slithers through, spins on a sixpence, and fires an early effort at Leno, who does well to get down and keep it out with a strong hand!
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
18:54 , Oli Gent62 mins: Eze is replaced by Mikel Merino, and the injured Cairney can’t continue for Fulham, with Emile Smith Rowe on for him. Josh King is also replaced by Kevin.
Simon Collings reports
18:53 , Oli Gent61 mins: Don't know what it is, but Trossard just has a remarkable record when it comes to end product. Not been at his best today, then comes up with a big goal.
GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
18:51 , Oli Gent59 mins: Arsenal are ahead, and it’s Leandro Trossard! The corner finally breaches the Fulham defence, as it’s whipped in by Saka. It takes a nick at the near post, with Gabriel flicking it on, and Trossard knees it over the line!
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:50 , Oli Gent58 mins: That’s a great challenge from Cuenca, to nick in ahead of Gyokeres. Saka plays a nice ball into the pocket for Eze, and prods one through for the Swede, but Cuenca gets across to stab it behind. Corner, Arsenal.
Simon Collings reports
18:48 , Oli Gent58 mins: Josh King proving why there is so much hype around him. Causing Arsenal plenty of problems with his ability to carry the ball.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:48 , Oli Gent56 mins: Close! A sweeping move from Fulham led by the battering ram Jimenez. Wilson and Iwobi are in support, and Wilson has a pop from the edge of the area, which Calafiori throws himself at!
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:45 , Oli Gent53 mins: It’s been all Arsenal in this first 10 minutes of the second period, and the Cottagers are now hitting and hoping long balls to try and hit then visitors on the break.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:42 , Oli Gent50 mins: Off the line! Saka rolls Sessegnon and gets a bit lucky as it breaks back to him. He then looks for the poke across the box, but Gyokeres can’t get there and Berge makes a mess of it, and Castagne clears behind! Corner.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:41 , Oli Gent49 mins: A faster start from Arsenal. Timber picks it up on the right, before finding Eze ahead of him. The attacking midfielder looks for Trossard at the far post, and the Belgian drags his shot wide in acres of space!
Kick off!
18:37 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway.
Simon Collings reports
18:24 , Oli GentThat saved Gyokeres chance was the only shot on target - from either side - in the half. Sums it up. Stodgy.
HT: Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:23 , Oli GentThere’s the interval. Still no troubling the scoreboard from either side, but Arsenal are growing in confidence.
What will the second half have in store?
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:19 , Oli Gent45+4 mins: Saka swings in another, and Leno punches clear once more.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:19 , Oli Gent45+3 mins: A chance for Sessegnon to launch a long throw. It’s an Arsenal touch to clear as Calafiori gets his head to it. Gyokeres beats Castagne to the punted ball upfield and Timber is in support, but that’s great tracking back from Iwobi, who pens him into the corner as Jimenez concedes the corner.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:16 , Oli Gent45+1 min: Six added minutes.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:15 , Oli Gent45 mins: Saka swings it in, but Leno punches clear.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:14 , Oli Gent44 mins: Saka beats Iwobi and gets to the right byline. He clips one in, and Cuenca unconvincingly nods behind. Corner, Arsenal.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:13 , Oli Gent42 mins: Andersen is down with a head injury and the Arsenal fans really don’t like that.
He can’t continue, and Issa Diop is coming on to take his place.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:09 , Oli Gent39 mins: Another sight of goal for Arsenal - and Calafiori weirdly enough. It’s clipped over the top for the left-back to strike on the volley, and he connects decently, but that’s over the top.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:07 , Oli Gent38 mins: That’s better from Arsenal. Gyokeres peels into the right channel and latches onto a nice through ball. He fires one across Leno, but the German is equal to it to parry it away.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:06 , Oli Gent37 mins: Rice sends the corner short and it’s out for Eze to have a crack, but that’s charged down.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:06 , Oli Gent36 mins: Corner, Arsenal. Better from the visitors as Calafiori cuts in and looks to hit one with his right. It has Leno diving, but Andersen is in front of him to block and send it behind.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:04 , Oli Gent35 mins: Zubimendi looks right and tries to find Saka - or Eze? - but it trickes into touch. Arsenal just haven’t quite found that incision in the final third yet.
Simon Collings reports
18:02 , Oli Gent33 mins: Cairney's injury gives Arteta the chance to hold a mini team talk, which feels needed right now. Arsenal have not got going.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:02 , Oli Gent32 mins: Sessegnon makes a mess of the second ball from the corner, but there’s more of a worry for the hosts here.
Tom Cairney, filling in for Saka Lukic, is down holding his shoulder. Not ideal here...
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
18:01 , Oli Gent30 mins: The central midfield for Fulham has worked really well so far, staying compact.
King nicks it off Eze and darts into the space, looking for the left byline. He mishits the cross, but it has Raya backpedalling, with the Spaniard tipping it over! Corner, Fulham.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:57 , Oli Gent26 mins: Close! Wilson has been the liveliest on the field so far. He’s picked out nicely by Iwobi as he works his way inside, and he gets it onto his stronger left. He drags his shot wide of the near post, however!
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:54 , Oli Gent25 mins: Arsenal are warming up a bit now (literally), and are getting some of their patterns of play going. Not many of them, but they are getting started.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:52 , Oli Gent22 mins: Halfway through this first half, but nothing of much quality - except that Calafiori strike. Rice gets his legs in a muddle and miscontrols the ball tight to the touchline, much to the delight of the Fulham faithful.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:50 , Oli Gent19 mins: Iwobi takes an inswinger this time, but the referee deems that there’s a foul on Eze, who ducks for the clearing header as Jimenez raises a boot.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:49 , Oli Gent18 mins: King goes for a speculative effort from distance, but it’s deflected behind. Wilson’s first corner is sent into the thick of the crowd at the near post, and he gets a second bite of the cherry.
Simon Collings reports
17:48 , Oli Gent18 mins: What shame that is ruled out. A ridiculous strike from Calafiori.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:47 , Oli Gent16 mins: No goal! Arsenal think they’ve taken the lead as Calafiori fires in a peach into the far corner! The long diagonal towards Trossard is touched down nicely for the left-back, who makes the move into the box. He connects perfectly to sweep it beyond Leno, but he’s offside!
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:44 , Oli Gent15 mins: A shaky start from Gabriel here as he dawdles on the ball and gets it pinched by Jimenez. Wilson takes over and looks to bend one into the far corner, but it’s wide of the target!
Simon Collings reports
17:43 , Oli Gent14 mins: Rice spoke during the international break about the freedom he has under Arteta this season, and you can see it today. He's dropping very deep at times.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:42 , Oli Gent12 mins: Close! The first real half-chance as Wilson latches onto a punt down the right, and feeds Jimenez. He’s dragged wide, and gets a skewed shot away, which deflects behind. The corner is played out to Cairney on the edge of the area, and he makes good contact, but Zubimendi blocks!
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:41 , Oli Gent10 mins: It’s been a bit of a manic opening 10 minutes. No player has really been given much time to get on the ball as yet.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:39 , Oli Gent8 mins: A stop-start beginning to the game here, with Arsenal now getting into their rhythm.
They’re looking for Gyokeres early, hoping he can pin Andersen and Cuenca.
Simon Collings reports
17:36 , Oli Gent6 mins: Arsenal fans singing Postecoglou's name...
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:34 , Oli Gent5 mins: Some nice early pressure from Fulham, who are looking to harness their home support and make a quick start here.
There’s some intent to play it around quickly, before looking a bit more direct for the run or chest of Jimenez.
Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
17:33 , Oli Gent3 mins: Immediately you can see that it’s a 4-2-3-1 shape for Arsenal. Eze is inhabiting that No10 hole behind Gyokeres, with Rice next to Zubimendi in the double pivot.
Kick off!
17:30 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway.
The players are out!
17:29 , Oli Gent... and the anticipation is building inside Craven Cottage.
Jimenez is back
17:25 , Oli GentRaul Jimenez is back and leading the line for the Cottagers today.
He was injured - like Rodrigo Muniz - for the trip to Bournemouth, and Josh King was deployed as a false nine in a 3-1 defeat.
The Mexican’s return is a welcome one for the hosts today.
Arteta's pre-match thoughts
17:20 , Oli GentHere’s what the Arsenal boss had to say ahead of kick off...
"Ebs is a player that has enormous quality and talent in those spaces"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 18, 2025
Mikel Arteta explains why he has chosen Eberechi Eze to replace Martin Ødegaard 🔁 pic.twitter.com/uv9gYFIbuG
15 minutes to kick off!
17:15 , Oli GentThe excitement is building in west London ahead of what looks to be a fascinating affair.
Who will step up to earn their side a key three points?
Haaland at the double as Man City cruise past Everton
17:04 , Oli GentErling Haaland struck twice to lift Manchester City top of the Premier League - for now - as they swept Everton aside 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Simon Collings reports
16:55 , Oli GentHere are Simon Collings’ thoughts on that Arsenal team selection...
🎙️ "A big period for Eberechi Eze."@sr_collings reacts to that #AFC team news at Craven Cottage.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) October 18, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/c3WrQOQS6p #FULARS pic.twitter.com/buSP5M8tko
Simon Collings reports
16:46 , Oli GentI think it is a real loss for Fulham that they are without Robinson. He has, historically, done well against Saka - especially at Craven Cottage.
Fulham lineup analysed
16:40 , Oli GentThat’s an interesting selection from Marco Silva.
There isn’t much flair in that team, but there is legs and energy. Dogged determination, if you will.
They will certainly need that against a powerful and physical Arsenal this afternoon.
There is some creativity in the engine room with Tom Cairney alongside Sander Berge, and youngster Josh King gets the nod over former Gunner Emile Smith Rowe once more as the No10 after some impressive performances.
Interesting to see that Timothy Castagne is preferred to Kenny Tete at right-back, while Jorge Cuenca is in at centre-back over Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey.
No Hincapie!
16:30 , Oli GentMikel Arteta said in his pre-match press conference that Piero Hincapie was back in training after an injury-hit start to his Arsenal career.
The Ecuadorian has only played once for his new side since his move from Bayer Leverkusen, but doesn’t make the matchday squad here, despite positive signs that he was fit.
Arsenal lineup
16:20 , Oli GentConfirmed Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Martinelli, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.
Fulham lineup
16:16 , Oli GentConfirmed Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Cuenca, Andersen, Sessegnon; Berge, Cairney; Wilson, King, Iwobi; Jimenez.
Subs: Lecomte, Tete, Diop, Bassey, Reed, Smith Rowe, Traore, Kevin, Kusi-Asare.
What's up with Odegaard?
16:10 , Oli GentMartin Odegaard is missing once more for Arsenal through injury.
That’s the second time he’s been sidelined already this term.
What is going on with the Gunners’ skipper?
Ange Postecoglou sacked!
16:00 , Oli GentAfter eight games without a win, the Australian has already been sacked by Nottingham Forest after just 39 days in the job.
The former Tottenham boss didn’t last long...
Fulham vs Arsenal head-to-head
15:50 , Oli GentCraven Cottage has not been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal in the past two seasons as they’ve taken one point from a possible six.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Arteta’s side were denied a last-minute winner when Bukayo Saka’s effort was ruled out for an offside call against Gabriel Martinelli in the build-up.
Fulham wins: 9
Arsenal wins: 13
Draws: 43
Standard Sport prediction
15:40 , Oli GentArsenal appeared to have clicked, particularly in attack, before the international break, but will hope Odegaard’s absence doesn’t derail things.
The Gunners’ squad appears strong enough to cope with injuries at present and this is where the signing of Eze proves beneficial and we expect the England international to make the difference.
Arsenal to win, 2-0.
Arsenal team news
15:30 , Oli GentArsenal captain Martin Odegaard is expected to be missing for a number of weeks after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee in the win over West Ham before the international break.
Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino are all options to fill in for Odegaard, while Declan Rice proved his fitness for England after being substituted against his former club last time out.
Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus will not feature in west London, but summer signing Piero Hincapie should be fit and Arteta allayed concerns over Ben White and Martin Zubimendi.
Fulham team news
15:20 , Oli GentLeft-back Antonee Robinson is unavailable again for Fulham, while Sasa Lukic is out for between four to six weeks with an adductor injury and Rodrigo Muniz - who scored at the Emirates Stadium last season - remains sidelined.
Samuel Chukwueze is also out after being substituted at half-time of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Benin, with Raul Jimenez and Kenny Tete still doubts.
How to watch
15:10 , Oli GentTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 5pm BST on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Hello and welcome!
15:00 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal’s trip to Fulham.
The Premier League is well and truly back, with the Gunners topping the table. Can they stay there this weekend?
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 5.30pm BST.
