Mikel Arteta can do no wrong. His Arsenal side are in peak flow at the top of the Premier League table after beating Fulham 3-0 and now sit five points clear with just 11 games to go.
Having not even taken Leandro Trossard to Portugal in midweek it was the Belgian that made Premier League history in West London. The winger became the first player to notch three assists in the first half of an away game and proved just how thorough Arteta is being.
Before the game there was uncertainty over his availability, 45 minutes that had been put to bed. Three different scorers in three different ways and one more match chalked off. With Europa League action again on Thursday there is little time to hang about.
READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus makes Arsenal injury return against Fulham to hand Mikel Arteta title boost
Once more Arteta will have to prove himself adept at squad rotation as continental action is weighed up with domestic competition as Crystal Palace lie in wait as the last team before the international break. How the head coach goes about ensuring that his players remain fresh will be key to getting across the line as winners.
Despite the win perhaps the biggest positive was the return of Gabriel Jesus on Sunday. "Big boost. The first step today. We didn’t know if it was the right game today," Arteta admitted after the game. "He said to me a few days ago ‘I’m still missing something.’ Yesterday I looked in his eyes and he said ‘I’m ready’. I said ‘OK!’ So then we had the opportunity to throw him in.
"It’s that first step to give him the big boost. He looks free, he looks ready and straight away he generated those two big chances. It’s great to have him back." The Brazilian hadn't played for his club since November but now comes in as a giant piece of good news for his teammates.
Meanwhile, as mentioned, Trossard started the game despite Arteta saying pre-game: "We have Gabby [Jesus] out, Eddie [Nketiah] out and Leo [Trossard] out." His return, along with that of Martin Odegaard playing and scoring, is a boost after an illness swept through the camp last week.
Nketiah won't be returning until after the international break though, with Arteta saying: "We are assessing him," the Spaniard said in his pre-match press conference. "It's a bit uncertain what will happen with him to be honest in the training sessions.
"Let’s see, let’s keep the options open. He’s very positive about it and hopefully he’ll be fine."
Mohamed Elneny is the only other long-term doubt as injury worries ease for the Spaniard.
READ NEXT:
Why Gabriel shouted at Granit Xhaka as Mikel Arteta reveals doubt over Gabriel Jesus
Arteta’s impossible task, Trossard’s mission - Arsenal winners and losers from Fulham victory
Arsenal player ratings vs Fulham as Leandro Trossard superb and Gabriel Martinelli a threat
Gabriel Jesus makes Arsenal injury return against Fulham to hand Mikel Arteta title boost
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
