The new Premier League season kicked off with a London derby, where Arsenal visited newly-promoted Fulham on Saturday. Mikel Artetas side had ended the previous campaign quite strongly, defeating Manchester City and Chelsea in successive games to win the FA Cup, and they continued that form to beat Liverpool on penalties in the season-opening Community Shield as well. Fulham too had a decent bit of momentum behind them, having come through the playoffs to beat Brentford in the final and come back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, following their relegation back in the 2018/19 season. Thus, there was optimism on both sides ahead of the new season, with Scott Parker and Arteta looking to bolster their credentials as quality managers while in charge of the sides they played for in the league. This tactical analysis piece will look at both sides tactics and detail how Arsenal were able to successfully get past the Fulham midfield on the way to scoring three goals.
Lineups
Parker didnt really change too much from the team that played in the Championship last season. Aleksandar Mitrović was still not fully fit, and so was only on the bench. Aboubakar Kamara started as the lone striker instead, with Neeskens Kebano and Ivan Cavaleiro on the flanks. Joe Bryan continued at left-back, despite the club having signed highly-rated American youngster Antonee Robinson from Wigan, and it was the same story on the opposite side, where Dennis Odoi kept his place, while new signings Kenny Tete and Ola Aina did not make the matchday squad.
For Arsenal, it was a bit of a surprise to see Gabriel Magalhães start his first Premier League game after arriving from Lille. Mohamed Elnenys resurgence also continued, as the Egyptian started his second successive game, having spent last season on loan at Besiktas. New arrival Willian also played from the start, as part of a front three alongside Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
