Arsenal player ratings vs Fulham: Saka leads by example but Gunners handed new problem

Arsenal returned to the summit of the Premier League table with a narrow victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. The north Londoners went into the game knowing that a draw would be enough to take them above Manchester City, who had beaten Everton earlier in the day. Leandro Trossard's second-half goal secured maximum points for the Gunners at the end of a hard-fought contest.

Both teams had chances to open the scoring before Arsenal found the breakthrough from a corner. Trossard, who had failed to impress up to that point, was in position at the back post to divert the ball home from close range. It was far from a vintage Arsenal display in spite of the result, with the absence of Martin Odegaard meaning that creativity from midfield was at a premium.

Express Sport rates and slates the Arsenal players following today's game...

Arsenal player ratings vs Fulham

David Raya - 6

Mostly a spectator as Fulham struggled to hit the target. Stayed sharp enough to deal with the few efforts that went his way.

Jurrien Timber - 7

Had another good game, linking up well with Bukayo Saka to make inroads down the right flank. Solid in defence too.

William Saliba - 6

Calm and composed at the back as always, doing more than enough to deserve a clean sheet.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 6

Looked a yard off the pace at times but eventually settled into the game and helped to consolidate the victory.

Riccardo Calafiori - 7

Posed a constant threat in the final third. Found the top corner early on but saw his strike disallowed for a marginal offside.

Martin Zubimendi - 6

Did his job well enough, taking on much of the dirty work to break up attacks before laying the ball off to a nearby team-mate.

Declan Rice - 6

Pulled the strings for Arsenal with his range of passing but found it hard to play through Fulham's press at times.

Eberechi Eze - 5

Tried to make things happen but was unable to provide the creative spark Arsenal needed in the absence of Odegaard.

Leandro Trossard - 6

Quiet for much of the game until he scored the opening goal, sneaking in at the back post to fire home from point-blank range.

Bukayo Saka - 8

Gave his marker Ryan Sessegnon a torrid time and was at the heart of Arsenal's most dangerous moves. Great performance.

Viktor Gyokeres - 5

Worked hard to get himself in the right positions but was kept under wraps and failed to take the chances he did have.

Substitutes

Mikel Merino - 6

Came on for the final 20 minutes and did his job well enough, keeping things ticking over in midfield.

Gabriel Martinelli - 6

Was given a run out in the closing stages and tried his luck with an ambitious bicycle kick that failed to reach the target.

Christian Norgaard - n/a

Introduced in stoppage time to make his first Premier League appearance as an Arsenal player.