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Arsenal’s rookies kicked off the Premier League season with a comfortable 3-0 win over newly promoted Fulham.
Willian finished his first game since moving to London from Chelsea with three assists, while Gabriel topped Arsenal’s second game to start his own Gunners career ideally.
Fulham’s return to the top flight got off to a rocky start when Alexandre Lacazette took advantage of a loose ball in the eighth minute to give the Gunners an encouraging start to the new season.
Gabriel’s header after halftime strengthened Arsenal’s grip on the game and was quickly followed by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s curly shot that secured all three points.
Arsenal’s passion was evident before kick-off when Eddie Nketiah and Dani Ceballos clashed in the warm-up, a late challenge led to the two clashing and the need to part ways.
When the game began, the pair took seats at opposite ends of the substitute bench.
Fulham didn’t have to wait long for their first Premier League opportunity when Aboubakar Kamara nearly capitalized on an Arsenal mistake from behind, but Bernd Leno was able to collect the ball.
The recently promoted team also had the first shot on goal of the match, with Denis Odoi running down the right before firing, but his effort was relatively easy for Leno.
Moments later Arsenal scored their first goal of the season after a fight in the Fulham area, Lacazette reacted quicker to pass the ball to Marek Rodak and open his account for the season.
A ball overhead was not touched by the Fulham defense, Aubameyang crossed the ball before Granit Zhaka cleared a shot, Rodak saved but the ball fell into Lacazette’s path.
In the 26th minute, Willian came close to scoring a goal on his debut for Arsenal, his direct free kick going over the barrier but hitting the wood.
Fulham started the second half slowly and were punished for it in the 48th minute when Gabriel edged past Michael Hector to face a Willian corner kick and head home in their opening game in the Arsenal jersey.
Kamara had a chance after Tom Cairney’s free kick was cleared for the 25-year-old, but his shot from the edge of the area went off goal.
The home team was caught almost immediately at halftime and captain Aubameyang capitalized on a Willian cross ball before going through the defense and then passing the ball to Rodak to secure the three points for the Gunners just before the hour.
Despite the belated presentation of last season’s championship golden boot winner Aleksandar Mitrovic, from the bench, Fulham could not claim any consolation as the game ended 3-0.
Arteta said he expected Aubameyang to sign a new contract with Arsenal in a few days.
“I am really sure that we will achieve it very soon and I hope that in the next few days I will receive some news,” Arteta told BT Sport.
Defender Rob Holding has also been linked to a loan to Newcastle, but Arteta added: “I told him ‘change your mind because you’re not going anywhere.’
“Rob is another one who represents all the values that we have in the football club. He had a really bad time, but why do I have to let him go? He’s already playing, so what does he want?
“I wanted to see my team determined to get into this difficult terrain against a really good team that has been promoted. We had a lot of energy and we did the things that we trained in this period.”
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