Arsenal answered their critics in style on Saturday as a clinical display of finishing from Lukas Podolski saw them beat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League. The German produced two classy strikes either side of the break to add to Olivier Giroud’s opener as Arsene Wenger’s side picked up their first points of the new Premier League campaign.
It was the perfect end to a difficult week for the Gunners, who have recovered from their opening-day defeat by Aston Villa to record successive victories on the road. After their 3-0 win at Fenerbahce in Wednesday’s Champions League play-off first leg, England midfielder Jack Wilshere was surprisingly named as a substitute by Wenger, with Tomas Rosicky drafted into a three-man midfield alongside Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla.
It has been a summer of change at Craven Cottage and new owner Shahid Khan was introduced to the home supporters before kick-off amid soggy conditions by the River Thames. The Pakistan-born businessman was given a rapturous welcome. Arsenal kept possession and worked the ball to Ramsey. His shot from distance lacked power, but it struck Giroud on the heel and fell perfectly for the Frenchman to finish coolly. A quick break saw Stockdale save well from Walcott and the ball fell for Podolski to hammer into the unguarded net four minutes before the interval.
Fulham went 3-0 down as Podolski rounded off a flowing move by picking his spot from Cazorla’s pass. Bent did manage to pull one back with 13 minutes to play after he tapped home a cross-shot from Berbatov, but by then it was too late.
Meanwhile, there was further delay for a win for Everton’s new manager Roberto Martinez as his side drew 0-0 at home against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Di Canio’s Sunderland beat Southampton 1-0 away to open their points campaign for the season. Agencies