Giroud and Podolski goals seal first points of season

Olivier Giroud scored his 3rd goal in as many games as Arsenal overcame Fulham at Craven Cottage to win 3-1. Lukas Podolski grabbed a double as he started for the first time this season in what was the perfect response to the Gunners defeat to Villa the week before. There were many reasons to be happy after this performance. Szczesny looked to be back to his best, making some fine saves. Sagna impressed at centre back as he came in for the suspended Koscielny. Meanwhile Aaron Ramsey once more starred in the middle of the park. Lukas Podolski staked a very strong claim for why he should be starting more often as he put away two clinical finishes. There was a late debut for Yaya Sanogo in the match as he got his chance, however he wasn't involved much. 16 year old Gedion Zelalem, a boy who had just recieved his GCSE results in the week was on the bench!

Giroud and Podolski were on the score sheet as Arsenal beat Fulham

The opening chance fell to Arsenal as on nine minutes Rosicky lifted the ball over the defence into Walcott but Stockdale came out well and made the save.

Minutes later Arsenal had the lead. Ramsey's shot found its way to Giroud who then dinked the ball over the keeper from close range for 1-0.

Fulham then went close twice in quick succession to equalising. Taarabt found space to then hit a shot which Szczesny parried away. It bounced only as far as Duff who then forced the Arsenal keeper into making another terrific save.

The Gunners were creating all the best chances as Cazorla drove a shot from distance after good hold up play from Giroud but the effort was straight at Stockdale.

Kieran Gibbs then went in search of his second in as many matches as a quick break away from Walcott and Ramsey found the left back but with options to his left he dragged the ball wide.

With 5 minutes to the break Arsenal went 2 goals to the good. Walcott was played in down the right hand side and forced a save out of Stockdale. The ball fell only as far as Podolski on the edge of the area who rifled the ball home.

Seconds before half time Podolski could've had another goal but instead of shooting he tried to aim a ball to the back post but there was too much on it and it slid wide.

The score at half time was 2-0 to Arsenal.

The first effort on goal in the second half went to Fulham as Taarabt turned and then fired the ball towards goal but Szczesny was equal to it and he pushed it out for a corner.

However it was Arsenal who came back with another chance. Kieran Gibbs' ball to the back post picked out Walcott whose header found Ramsey and then the Welshman's shot was deflected wide.

The Gunners then were to grab a third goal and extend their advantage. Mertesacker picked out Giroud who brought the ball down with a brilliant touch. He found Walcott who then played in Cazorla down the left. He was patient to then give the ball to Podolski who arrowed the ball into the far corner.

Fulham came back though as they scored what turned out to be a consolation goal. Berbatov's shot was saved by Szczesny but was then turned in from point blank range by Darren Bent.

With 10 minutes left Arsenal had three quick chances to grab a fourth. Walcott's free-kick was met by Monreal but Stockdale punched the ball away. It fell to Wilshere whose shot was blocked and then to Mertesacker but his tame effort didn't trouble the Fulham goal.

Sanogo was then denied what probably would've been a debut goal. Wilshere did brilliantly well to retain possession for Arsenal and then slip in Walcott but his cross to Sanogo who was unmarked was cut out by Aaron Hughes.

The final score finished Fulham 1-3 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Fulham: Stockdale, Reither, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise, Sidwell(75), Parker, Taarabt(62), Duff(59), Kasami, Berbatov.
Subs: Etheridge, Briggs, Boateng, Karagounis(75), Kacaniklic(62), Ruiz, Bent(59).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Rosicky(69), Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski(81), Giroud(71).
Subs: Fabianski, Monreal(71), Frimpong, Wilshere(69), Zelalem, Gnabry, Sanogo(81). 

My man of the match: Aaron Ramsey

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 25,622