Arsenal opened their 20/21 season by thumping Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage in Saturday’s early kick-off with Willian and Gabriel superb.

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel (2L) celebrates with team-mates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel (2L) celebrates with team-mates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP)

Ahead of what seems to be an impending move away from the club, Mikel Arteta left Emi Martinez out of the squad altogether.

There was also no place for William Saliba nor Mesut Ozil with Dani Ceballos only making the bench.

The surprise was seeing Gabriel start but the Brazilian impressed, even if you forget about his debut goal. As did Lacazette who scored the opening Premier League goal of the season for the second time (he also did it in 2017).

He also showed that he probably has been listening to Arteta, netting away from home.

The star of the show, however, was the other new boy who started – Willian, who grabbed three assists.

Fulham vs Arsenal player ratings 

Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Willian (2R) strikes a free kick that hits the post during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Clive Rose / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder Willian (2R) strikes a free kick that hits the post during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Clive Rose / POOL / AFP)

Fulham lineup

Marek Rodak 4.8

Michael Hector 5.6

Got booked, should have had a second for his foul on Granit Xhaka and then cleared one off the line a few minutes later. Had the game been tight, he probably would have scored, too.

Denis Odoi 5.8

Neeskens Kebano 6.1

Tom Cairney 5.7

Got booked.

Tim Ream 5.5

Ivan Cavaleiro 6.6

Harrison Reed 6.0

Joe Bryan 5.8

Josh Onomah 5.9

Aboubakar Kamara 5.4

Subs: Areola, Christie, Le Marchand, Anguissa (Kebano ’63), Knockaert, De Cordova-Reid (Onomah 75′), Mitrovic (Kamara 63′).

Arsenal lineup

Bernd Leno 7.5

Cleansheet.

Rob Holding 7.6

Gabriel 7.9

Scored on his debut.

Kieran Tierney 7.1

Hector Bellerin 7

Got booked.

Mohamed Elneny 7.0

Granit Xhaka 7.1

Ainsley Maitland-Niles 6.8

MAN OF THE MATCH Willian 8.8

Hit the post, assisted all three of Arsenal’s goals.

Alexandre Lacazette 7.8

Scored away from home.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 7.9

Got booked, scored.

Subs: Matt Macey, Sead Kolasinac, Dani Ceballos (Xhaka 78′), Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe (Wilian 75′), Eddie Nketiah (Lacazette 86′)

Fulham vs Arsenal officials

Referee Chris Kavanagh 7
Assistant 1 Daniel Cook n/a
Assistant 2 Sian Massey-Ellis n/a
4th Official Kevin Friend n/a
VAR David Coote n/a
Ass VAR Nick Hopton n/a

Ratings via Fotmob

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR