Santi Cazorla hit twice in the second half to give Arsenal a comfortable if unspectacular victory over Fulham. It was another indifferent performance from the Gunners but the team had more than enough to see off a Fulham team that has struggled this season, especially away from home. While the fans in the Emirates would love to see Arsenal at full flow, there are encouraging signs to be taken from a team not playing to its full potential but still winning.
Indeed, in many respects Arsenal never had to get out of first gear as Fulham represented an easy target, with the Cottagers never claiming a win in any competition at Arsenal. However, it was a frustrating first half for the players as they struggled to complete their usual fluent style of passing. Although, with Fulham barely registering a threat during the first 45 minutes, Arsenal were content to have the most of possession and await an opportunity.
… That came in the second half as Arsenal emerged with much more impetuous, going close when Jack Wilshere combined with Mesut Ozil to put the German international through down the right side of the penalty area. Ozil sent a scuffed shot wide of the flailing arms of Fulham stopper Maarten Stekelenburg only to see Brede Hangeland (back after a four month layoff) clear the danger.
Arsenal continued to press but were met by a determined group of Fulham players, with Oliver Giroud blasting over when presented with a chance on the edge of the box. Fulham only offered the odd foray forward, such as a Steve Sidwell volley that forced an acrobatic save from Wojciech Szczesny. Despite that reminder, Arsenal were in control and the Emirates faithful could sense a goal coming.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when the impressive Cazorla was the recipient of some neat work by Wilshere and Giroud. The Spaniard collected the ball from Giroud in a busy area and drilled a low shot into the bottom right corner to give the home team the lead and to calm any nerves emanating around the Emirates.
The lead was doubled five minutes later when Nacho Monreal´s cross was headed away by Burn, but the clearance could only find the feet of Cazorla. The midfielder wasted no time in driving a quality shot low into the Fulham net to give Arsenal a 2-0 lead after 62 minutes. While Fulham pressed sporadically to get back into the game Arsenal spent the last half hour or the match hunting a third, although it never came.