Gyokeres Keeps Arsenal Title Belief Strong After Fulham Victorynewsline24

Viktor Gyokeres stressed that Arsenal’s confidence in the Premier League title race stayed firm after a 3-0 victory over Fulham moved the team six points clear at the top. The forward scored twice and set up Bukayo Saka at Emirates Stadium, increasing pressure on second-placed Manchester City.

The result means City, who face Everton on Monday in the first of two games in hand, will retain control if both sides win all remaining fixtures, with goal difference then deciding the champions. Arsenal’s latest win arrived after a demanding European schedule but maintained strong domestic momentum.

Mikel Arteta highlighted the performance level shown so soon after a tiring Champions League semi-final first leg away to Atletico Madrid, which finished 1-1. Arteta told BBC Match of the Day: “I’m extremely happy. It was a really tough match to play. We came back to Madrid very late on Thursday.”

Arteta added that the group had invested heavily in Spain and then met dangerous opponents. “We gave so much in that match and had to play a team in good form,” Arteta said. “I think the team played incredibly well. We dominated and showed the hunger we discussed before the game.”

Gyokeres delivered direct contributions to three goals in one match for Arsenal for the first time. The forward both scored and created a goal before half-time in a league game for the first time since doing so for Sporting CP against Farense in September 2023, underlining immediate impact in England.

The striker has now reached 21 goals in all competitions during the debut campaign. That is the highest total by an Arsenal player in a first season with the club since Alexis Sanchez struck 25 during the 2014-15 campaign, placing Gyokeres among notable recent arrivals at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s control at home has also been strong over an extended period. Since their final home fixture of the 2024-25 season, Arsenal have won 15 of 19 Premier League matches at Emirates Stadium, drawing two and losing two, while recording 11 clean sheets, more than any other home side in that span.

Arsenal Premier League numbers: goals and home form

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Gyokeres explained that both performance and scoreline mattered at this stage. Speaking to Sky Sports, Gyokeres said: “I think both the performance and result was important. We controlled the game very well, the striker said. At this stage, we have to win the games that are left and we showed today we can have a good performance and get the three points.”

Gyokeres outlined the team’s mindset in attack. “We always go into games believing we are going to play well and create a lot of chances. Today we did that and we enjoyed it. We’ve never stopped believing and we’re not going to. We will keep going.”

The forward also pointed to the broader picture in the run-in. “There’s still a lot to play for and it’s onto the next one. It’s been a good week. We’ve got some good results. We’re on a good path and we have to stay there.”

Arsenal Premier League challenge after recent setbacks

Arsenal’s position at the top comes after a difficult spell in the previous month. Back-to-back league losses against Bournemouth and Manchester City had cut a nine-point advantage and briefly removed Arsenal from first place, raising questions about resilience before the latest response in domestic competition.

Arteta underlined the scale of opportunities still available. “We have the opportunity to win two major competitions. We’re games away from achieving that. The boys feel extremely privileged to be in that position. They showed the kind of team we are.” The comments reflected belief in both Premier League and Champions League pursuits.

Fulham arrived with preparation affected by illness within the squad, although Marco Silva declined to lean on that issue when judging performance. Speaking to Sky Sports, Silva said: “That’s the easiest excuse, but we started with 11, he said. As a whole, we should have done much better.”

Silva pointed to basic defensive work as a key problem against Arsenal. “If you don’t do the basics well you’re not going to be able to compete. You have to go through these difficult spells in a football match, but the other things have to be therethe basic way to defend your box.”

The Fulham head coach demanded a stronger response in future games. “We have to be much stronger in the way we defended. We were not at that level this afternoon.” For Arsenal, the display added another clean sheet, extended home consistency and kept control of the Premier League race, despite Manchester City’s games in hand.