Thierry Henry looked back to his irresistible best as the French forward inspired Arsenal to a comprehensive 4-1 win over Fulham at Highbury this afternoon. The resounding victory saw Arsene Wenger’s side move into second place in the Premiership table as the Gunners only went up a gear after Steve Marlet had cancelled out Lauren’s opening goal. Henry scored twice and Patrick Vieira added another as Arsenal extended their fourteen match unbeaten run.
The hosts were desperate to move above Liverpool with a victory in this London derby and the omens were good for the Gunners as Fulham had never won at Highbury. Wenger’s side got off to a dream start when Lauren put them in front in just the fifth minute. A sweeping move saw Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Henry move the ball forward before Sylvain Wiltord got to the byline and cut the ball back for Lauren to supply the finish from six yards out.
But Highbury was briefly stunned by Marlet’s equaliser that arrived only four minutes later. Rufus Brevett spotted the French international’s clever run and sent in a looping cross which the former Lyon forward, who had darted away from Sol Campbell, headed over a stranded David Seaman and inside the far post. But the goal only served to spark Arsenal into life again. The hosts reclaimed the lead after a quarter of an hour as Brevett played Andy Melville into trouble with a weak pass. Henry took full advantage, teeing up Vieira, who thumped his first goal of the season beyond a helpless Edwin van der Sar.
The effervescent got on the scoresheet himself five minutes before the interval. He surged away from the Fulham defence to get on the end of a wonderfully weighted pass from Robert Pires, took a couple of touches to steady himself as he accelerated into the penalty area and steered a low finish past van der Sar. The Highbury hero made it 27 goals for the season when he bundled in at the back post after Lauren’s header had come back off the woodwork.
So routine was the victory that Arsenal were able to ease down after scoring a fourth with their forthcoming Champions’ League tie against Bayern Leverkusen in mind. Wenger substituted Pires and Henry, giving Highbury a first glimpse of young French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who might be the next big thing off the London Colney production line. Tigana was in an unforgiving mood afterwards, castigating his players for giving away possession too casually.
ARSENAL (4-4-2): Seaman; Lauren, Luzhny, Campbell, Stephanovs; Vieira, Parlour, van Bronckhorst (Dixon 43), Pires (Grimandi 73); Wiltord, Henry (Aliadiere 81). Subs (not used): Wright, Edu.
GOALS: Lauren (5), Vieira (15), Henry (40, 59).
FULHAM (4-4-2): van der Sar; Finnan, Brevett (Harley 63), Melville, Goma; Knight (Boa Morte 56), Collins, Legwinski, Malbranque; Marlet, Hayles (Saha 61). Subs (not used): Taylor, Ouaddoh.
BOOKED: Goma.
GOAL: Marlet (10).
REFEREE: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield).
ATTENDANCE: 38,029.
