Arsenal keep Premier League title dreams alive with win over Fulham | OneFootball

On a night that was crucial to maintaining their remote title chances, Arsenal overcame Fulham 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium to reach 61 points in Premier League, provisionally reducing the gap to leaders Liverpool to nine points. Fulham, meanwhile, have slipped to eighth place on 45 points.

Arsenal were much the better side for much of the game, but they once again had problems with their attacking play, with a lot of ball movement in the final third and not enough definition. Even though Fulham defended poorly, the first goal only came in the 38th minute, when Timber slipped a good pass to Nwaneri for Merino, who shot past his marker and left goalkeeper Leno with no chance of saving it.

In the second half, Bukayo Saka returned to the pitch after three months out due to injury and ended up being essential in Merino's move down the left, deflecting in a corner for Gabriel Martinelli to finish into the back of the net in the 72nd minute, securing the final result of the game. Fulham improved after Marco Silva's intervention and Rodrigo Muniz put in a great performance in the 93rd minute.

Fulham lost the game 2-1 and Rodrigo Muniz was instrumental in the visitors' attempt to respond, but it's worth noting that the Brazilian missed a chance without a goalkeeper a few minutes before extra time, squandering a clear goal-scoring opportunity and essential for the turnaround.

The number that confirms Mikel Merino's importance at Arsenal

Arsenal FC v Fulham FC - Premier League | Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

The goal scored by Merino was his sixth in the current Premier League season for Arsenal, making it the highest of his professional career. In other words, consolidating his importance to coach Mikel Arteta both offensively and defensively, as one of the Gunners' key players and not always highly valued.