Gyokeres Scores Twice as Arsenal Go Six Points Clear — Opta Stats

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice and Arsenal beat Fulham 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium, moving six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. opta stats had the striker on the scoresheet twice before half-time, with Bukayo Saka adding the third in a first-half burst that changed the title race’s shape.

Gyokeres Strikes Twice

Arsenal were 3-0 up by the interval, and Gyokeres had already turned the match with two goals. Leandro Trossard supplied the cross for his second, while the Sweden international later moved to 21 goals for the season in all competitions.

Bernd Leno denied him a hat-trick before the hour-mark, saving a one-on-one chance that would have extended the margin. Gyokeres still finished the afternoon as Player of the Match, and Arsenal still had the game under control without needing a second-half push.

Saka Starts, Then Leaves

Bukayo Saka made his first start since the Carabao Cup final and scored Arsenal’s other goal before Mikel Arteta withdrew him at half-time. That decision was taken with Tuesday’s second leg against Atletico Madrid in mind, after Arsenal had already gone through the first 45 minutes with the scoreline settled.

Fulham were already dealing with preparations affected by a virus, and Arsenal made the most of that by taking the game away early. Gabriel had a close-range effort blocked on the line, Riccardo Calafiori hit the bar, and substitute Max Dowman fired wide, but the home side had already done the damage they needed.

Title Race Pressure

The result leaves Arsenal six points clear of Manchester City, with a four-goal edge on goal difference and City still holding two games in hand. That combination keeps the race tight, but Arsenal now have the cushion and the numbers to make every remaining league game count.