By Emmanuel Ebimoh
After a disappointing 2019/2020 Premier League season, marked possibly as their worst league campaign in a generation, Arsenal FC have shown that they have more to offer and they are ready to make a strong statement as contenders for the league title this time around. Arsenal, buoyed by their FA Cup success last season as a possible consolation for a poor league campaign, have demonstrated a knack and craving for victory in their first game of the new season, typical of a team that is eager to win the coveted English Premier League title. And they have done so this afternoon with an emphatic 3-0 victory against newly-promoted Fulham.
In a demanding league where victory is mandatory, a winning start for the Gunners and a promising performance to a start of the new season is surely a welcome development for the aspirations of the Arsenal team and fans all over the world. With an all-important first away win, maybe Critics can now start rethinking about giving Arsenal a strong chance in their prediction books.
For Fulham, their first fixture to life back in the Premier League couldn’t have come any difficult as they faced a resurgent Arsenal side that looked more than hungry for success. And it took Arsenal just 10 minutes into the game to register the first goal of the new campaign after Alex Lacazette finished from close range inside the box to give Arsenal the lead. Arsenal’s new signing, Gabriel dos Santos Magalhãess – who was making his debut for the club – was impressive and dominant in defence, and in the 49th minute, just after the half-time break, the big Brazilian was on hand to give Arsenal their second goal of the game with a thumping header from a Willian’s corner kick. It was a well-orchestrated Brazilian connection, perfect start to life at Arsenal for the two National team-mates.
And then, eight minutes later, it was 3 goals for Arsenal. A quick counter-attack that saw a series of deft passes culminated in a fantastic finish by Arsenal’s captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to give Arsenal a comfortable 3-goal lead. The Gabonese International took the ball coolly on his chest from a superb pass from Willian, and struck home a devastating shot into the top corner of the Fulham post, giving the keeper no chance at all. Perfect beginning for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal team.
Unarguably, one major change in this resurgent Arsenal side is the way they press their opponents and defend whenever they lose the ball. Although one may object to the quality of their opponents today, but the improvement seen in the team after today’s victory is worth every commendation. And with more repeats of today’s performance in the coming games, it may not be too early for Arsenal fans around the world to start having sight at the league trophy, come May next year.
