Bukayo Saka produced a captain’s performance at Craven Cottage, driving his side to a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham that kept them top of the Premier League.
Bukayo Saka was the difference at Craven Cottage, driving Arsenal to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham that kept them top of the Premier League.
With Martin Ødegaard out injured, Saka captained the side and led by example, finishing the match as Player of the Match with a rating of 8.5.
He was involved in almost everything that mattered, creating six chances, completing six dribbles, winning 14 duels and being fouled five times – more than any other player in all those stats.
It was not a vintage performance from Arsenal, who looked heavy-legged after the international break, but Saka’s consistency and influence ensured the result went their way. His inswinging corner set up Leandro Trossard for the only goal of the game.
Saka’s numbers underlined his control of the game: 86 touches, 13 in the opposition box, 28 accurate passes, two shots, and an assist despite and expected assists (xA) of 0.43.
He also made 10 recoveries and two tackles, a reflection of his work rate off the ball as much as his threat on it.
With Ødegaard missing, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze struggled to unlock Fulham’s low block, but Saka continued to force openings down the right, carrying the ball and drawing fouls in dangerous areas.
There was frustration when Anthony Taylor overturned an Arsenal penalty on VAR review after Stuart Attwell advised that the defender’s touch on the ball meant no foul on Saka had occurred despite a foul clearly being committed.
Arsenal’s defence, once again, did its job perfectly. Fulham didn’t register a single shot on target, and Arsenal have now conceded only three goals in eight games.
Saka didn’t score, but he ran the show. On a tired afternoon when others struggled to find their rhythm, he remained relentless, the clear standout in what was a tough win.