Fulham v Arsenal player ratings: Robinson 4, Mitrovic 6; Odegaard 8, Trossard 9

Gunners power to 3-0 victory that takes lead at top of Premier League back to five points

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  FULHAM RATINGS: Bernd Leno 6: Might claim to have been impeded by White in the build-up to the Gunners’ opener. Made a number of saves to keep the score respectable. Reuters

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  Kenny Tete 6: Beaten too easily by Trossard who crossed the ball for Martinelli to head home the second. Provided a number of dangerous crosses in the second half. PA

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  Tosin Adarabioyo 5: Failed to get close enough to Trossard to stop him from crossing the ball in build-up to the Gunners third goal. Tested Ramsdale with a header in 74th minute. PA

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  Tim Ream 5: Should have got closer to stop Odegaard from scoring Arsenal’s third goal. Made a number of clearances in the second half to help deny Gunners a fourth goal. Getty

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  Antonee Robinson 4: Lucky to have seen his own goal ruled out for offside in 16th minute. Should have done much better to stop Martinelli for Arsenal’s second goal. Jumped too early and missed the ball to give Odegaard the chance to score Arsenal’s third. PA

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  Harrison Reed 6: Failed to provide adequate support for Tete as the combination of Trossard and Martinelli ran him ragged on the right wing. Got more involved in the second half as the Cottagers at least tried to get back in the game. AP

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  Sasa Lukic 5: Started in place of the suspended Paulinho, Lukic struggled to exert same level of dominance in midfield. Got overrun by visitors’ midfield in the first half but improved in second. AP

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  Bobby De Cordova-Reid 5: Barely had a sniff in the first half but almost gave Fulham a lifeline in the second with a shot that was saved by Ramsdale. Getty

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  Andreas Pereira 6: Looked like Fulham’s best prospect of creating anything special. Subbed off to probably keep him fresh for the FA Cup clash against Manchester United. AP

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  Manor Solomon 5: Tried to score a replica of his last two curlers in the 32nd minute but didn't get the bend quite right. Struggled to get involved after that chance. Reuters

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  Aleksandar Mitrovic 6: Well marshalled by the Arsenal defensive duo of Saliba and Gabriel. Saw a glancing header come off the crossbar in the 70th minute. AP

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  SUBS: Daniel James (On for Solomon 76') N/A. PA Harry Wilson (On for Pereira 76') N/A.

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  ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 7: Enjoyed quiet first half but almost gave Fulham a way back into the match via a loose pass that fell to Pereira. Made a good dave to deny Reid after the break. Getty

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  Ben White 7: Played a well disguised pass that Martinelli should have deflected in for the Gunners’ third goal. Did well in defence. Getty

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  Gabriel 9: Rose high to head Arsenal into the lead. Made a last-ditch block to deny substitute James late in game and celebrated like he had scored another goal. Getty

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  William Saliba 8: Started the play that led to the second goal by hitting a brilliant diagonal pass to Xhaka. Stood up to the physical test of Mitrovic. AP

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  Oleksandr Zinchenko 7: Pushed on brilliantly to help Arsenal take complete control of the midfield and picked out several incisive passes from deep. Reuters

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  Thomas Partey 8: A majestic performance from Partey in middle of the park for the Gunners. Won several tackles in midfield and kickstarted attacks from deep. AP

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  Granit Xhaka 7: Caught in two minds when he was presented with a glorious chance to put his name on the scoresheet and could only tap ball straight to keeper. Worked hard in the middle of the field and covered well for Zinchenko. Getty

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  Martin Odegaard 8: Scored Arsenal’s third goal on the stroke of half-time with a well-taken shot in the box. His excellent footwork was on full display in the second half as he helped Arsenal manage the game. Getty

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  Bukayo Saka 7: Despite not having a direct hand in any of the Gunners goals, Saka made life hard for Robinson with his direct running and incisive passing. Brought off early Europa League second leg against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday. Reuters

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  Leandro Trossard 9: His corner kick was headed in by Gabriel to open the scoring for Gunners. Grabbed two further assists with excellent crosses that were converted by Martinelli and Odegaard. AP

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  Gabriel Martinelli 7: Thought he’d given Arsenal the lead after his saved shot was deflected into net by Robinson; only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Scored Arsenal’s second goal with a well-taken header. Getty

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  SUBS: Kieran Tierney (On for Zinchenko 70') 7: Helped restrict Fulham’s forays down Arsenal's left-hand side. EPA

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  Reiss Nelson (On for Saka 72') 7: Could have scored in the 75th minute but chose to try and set up Gabriel Jesus instead. PA

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  Gabriel Jesus (On for Trossard 77') N/A. Playing first game since November, showed excellent composure and looks ready to aid the Gunners’ title tilt. Almost scored from a Vieira lay-off. AP

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  Fabio Vieira (On for Martinelli 77') N/A. Reuters

Mikel Arteta praised Leandro Trossard's "intelligence" after the Arsenal forward provided the assists for each goal in the Premier League leaders' 3-0 win at Fulham on Sunday.

Arteta's side restored their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City thanks to Trossard's most dynamic performance since signing from Brighton in January.

The 28-year-old Belgian has proved a valuable addition to the Gunners as they chase a first title since 2004.

Trossard might only have scored once for Arsenal, but his creativity and intelligent play have impressed Arteta, with those qualities on full display at Craven Cottage.

His pinpoint corner was headed in by Gabriel for Arsenal's opener, then Gabriel Martinelli nodded in from the Belgian's cross five minutes later before Martin Odegaard took another precise delivery and fired home just before the interval.

"He got three assists and could have scored two. I think he was really impressive," Arteta said.

"Not only that, he had an injury three days ago which could have taken a week, or another 10 days, but he was really willing to come back early and the doctors and medical staff did a lot of good work.

"It makes a big difference in the team. We needed him today and his contribution was superb.

"It's football intelligence. He's really clever to understand straight away what we want, what's required. He's executed it really well."