Arsenal picked up their first Premier League points of the season on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for the Gunners before two goals from Lukas Podolski sealed the victory.
Darren Bent grabbed a consolation goal for the hosts, but it was not enough to stop them slipping to a first defeat of the campaign.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League meeting between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage.
We're only one week into the new Premier League season, but this is already a very important game for today's visitors Arsenal. The Gunners slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa last weekend and they will be looking to get their first points of the campaign this afternoon.
In contrast, Fulham got off the mark last weekend with a late 1-0 win at Sunderland thanks to Pajtim Kasami's goal.
We've got some team news coming in...
ARSENAL: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Sagna, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski Walcott; Giroud
That's a total of two changes for Arsenal as Carl Jenkinson and Lukas Podolski replace Laurent Koscielny and Jack Wilshere.
ARSENAL SUBS: Fabianski, Monreal, Frimpong, Zelalem, Wilshere, Gnabry, Sanogo
FULHAM: Stockdale; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Duff, Parker, Sidwell, Taarabt; Kasami; Berbatov
The big team news for Fulham is that Scott Parker makes his debut following his move from Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the week. The midfielder comes in for Derek Boateng, while Kieran Richardson makes way for John Arne Riise in the Cottager's other change.
For all of the drama at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, let's not forget that there was some joy for Gunners fans in midweek as the team beat Fenerbahce 3-0 in Turkey in the first leg of their Champions League playoff.
That will have lifted the spirits at the club if only momentarily, but make no mistake: Arsenal have to get something out of this game today. Two consecutive defeats to start the season will have those alarm bells ringing loudly.
FULHAM SUBS: Etheridge, Briggs, Boateng, Karagounis, Kacaniklic, Ruiz, Bent
A slight correction to my earlier post on the Fulham team: Martin Jol has actually made three changes as David Stockdale replaces Maarten Stekelenburg in goal.
COMPETITION: Veering away from today's match for just a brief moment, you might be interested to hear that Sports Mole is running its own Fantasy Football League this season with a £100 prize for the winner. Fancy joining? Then use the code 12799-455963 to get involved.
Anyway, back to business. This fixture last season saw Arsenal nick a narrow 1-0 win thanks to Per Mertesacker's goal. The German captains the Gunners today.
Meanwhile, the corresponding match at the Emirates ended up as a dramatic 3-3 draw. That day will be remembered by Mark Schwarzer's last-minute penalty save from Mikel Arteta to earn the Cottagers a point. Some more of the same would be nice today, I must admit...
To be fair to Fulham they've made life difficult for Arsenal during their previous meetings. The Cottagers have picked up one win and three draws in their last five meetings against today's opponents.
Okay then, there's just under 10 minutes to go until this one gets underway at Craven Cottage. How do you see this one going? If I was a betting man I would put a chunk on a score draw here today. Arsenal have plenty to prove, but they're up against a Fulham side which has a lot of quality and experience in their side.
The players are in the tunnel, waiting to emerge onto the pitch at Craven Cottage. For the record, today's referee is Howard Webb. There's a touch of drizzle in the air in London and we're expecting showers on and off for the next 90 minutes. Here come the teams!
The pre-match rituals have been done, and it will be Fulham to get this one started. Game on!
Both sides are struggling to keep hold of the ball in these opening stages, but it's Fulham who have started the better. The conditions are sure to play a part today.
First proper chance of the match falls to Podolski, but the German's effort from the edge of the box gets deflected out for a corner. However, Fulham then break up the pitch and earn a free kick in a dangerous position.
WIDE! Riise, who we know can hit them, blasts the free kick well wide. The rain is absolutely pelting it down now. Oh, the joys of an English summer...
While a wet pitch would usually contribute to some slick passing, the ball has held up one or two times on the turf so far. Credit to the fans of both sides though as there's a great atmosphere inside the Cottage.
SAVE! Walcott is denied by Stockdale! The England winger latches onto a hopeful ball from Rosicky, but his first-time effort is kept put by Stockdale. Arsenal then forced three quick corners - one of which sees Giroud's header cleared off the line. The visitors are starting to crank up the pressure a bit now.
GOAL! FULHAM 0-1 ARSENAL (GIROUD)
Arsenal have the lead and it's an opportunistic strike from Olivier Giroud that puts them ahead. Ramsey's long-range shot went straight to the Frenchman in the penalty area, who took a touch before poking the ball past Stockdale.
SAVE! Fulham nearly get back on terms instantly, but Szczesny pulls off a fine double save to deny Riise and then Duff. Superb goalkeeping from the Polish shotstopper.
This game has opened up a lot in the last five minutes. Both sides are surging forward when they can, and the conditions are making for an entertaining match. More goals in this one, you feel.
SAVE! The Gunners have another crack at goal as Cazorla tries his luck from around 20 yards, but his effort is a tame one that Stockdale deals with at the second time of asking.
BOOKING: The first yellow card of the match goes to Ramsey, who is penalised for an earlier foul on Kasami.
Fulham get a free kick in a very dangerous position as Cazorla brings down Taarabt...
SAVE! Kasami takes the free kick on the edge of the box, but it takes a deflection before Szczesny gets down low to make the save.
Taarabt, as greedy as ever, lashes a shot wide from around 25 yards that never really had Szczesny worried. Fulham are certainly giving this a go right now as we enter the final 15 minutes of the half.
Fulham go on the attack again as Taarabt and Berbatov link up well with some snappy passing, but it's Parker who finishes the move off with a wayward strike from the edge of the box. A more composed presence in that part of the pitch and they might have had Szczesny worried.
A moment of amusement for those in the crowd there as Riise slides to try to keep the ball in play, but instead he ends up crashing into a camerman. Ouch.
CHANCES! Breathless stuff at Craven Cottage as Riise's cross fails to be tapped in by a teammate at one end before Gibbs drags his shot wide at the other following a quick Arsenal counter-attack.
GOAL! FULHAM 0-2 ARSENAL (PODOLSKI)
What a wonderful goal from Lukas Podolski as Arsenal double their lead! Walcott saw his initial effort parried away by Stockdale, but the German is lurking on the edge of the area to smash the ball into the net past a number of Fulham bodies. The Gunners are in a very comfortable position now.
Arsenal really should be 3-0 up as Podolski picks the ball up on the left, but his low cross misses everyone and goes out of play.
HALF TIME: FULHAM 0-2 ARSENAL
All in that, that was a very satisfying opening 45 minutes for Arsenal. The home side certainly had their chances, but the Gunners showed a more clinical edge in front of goal to get themselves into a deserved lead.
Olivier Giroud showed some great instincts to put Arsenal ahead as he collected Ramsey's shot before poking the ball home, while Lukas Podolski doubled that advantage with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Fulham have enjoyed some threatening moments at the other end, with Adel Taarabt, Dimirat Berbatov and Damien Duff all looking to hurt Arsenal, but they've wasted plenty of chances.
If you fancy taking a condensed look at that first half, then here's our half-time report.
The players are out for the second half, and it will be Arsenal to get us going. Can Fulham grab an early go to keep their hopes alive or will the visitors look to kill this one off sooner rather than later?
SAVE! Fulham nearly cut the deficit instantly through Taarabt, but the Moroccan's low shot is palmed away by Szczesny. Duff takes the resulting corner, though it comes to nothing as Sagna heads away.
Oh dear. Fulham get a free kick in a decent position out wide following Jenkinson's foul on Kasami, but Taarabt gets it completely wrong as he whacks the ball out for a goal kick. The man is a walking, talking bundle of frustration.
Arsenal break up the pitch in typical fashion as Walcott drags his shot wide from the edge of the area. The England international holds his hands up apologetically to his teammates, who were waiting in and around the box.
CHANCE! Arsenal nearly make it 3-0 as Walcott can't quite connect properly with Rosicky's cross. The ball falls to Ramsey, who sees his shot deflected inches wide. However, the corner comes to nothing.
SUBSTITUTION: Fulham make the first change of the afternoon as Damien Duff makes way for new signing Darren Bent. Can the striker make a big impact on his debut for the Cottagers?
SUBSTITUTION: The home side make a second swap now with Alexander Kacaniklic replacing Adel Taarabt.
Arsenal continue to press with some neat passing around the Fulham penalty area, but an old problem rears its ugly head as no one decides to take the bull by the horns and have a crack at goal.
MISS! Groans of despair come from the Fulham fans as Kasami lashes the ball wide from 18 yards. Berbatov looked to get in his teammates way there as the Swiss fired way off target. There is still a flicker of hope for the hosts, but they need to find the net soon.
GOAL! FULHAM 0-3 ARSENAL (PODOLSKI)
Game over. Just as Fulham were building up a head of steam, Arsenal surely finish this match off as Lukas Podolski gets on the scoresheet for the second time. The German picks the ball up just inside the area and drives a low shot past Stockdale and into the far corner.
SUBSTITUTION: Arsenal make a change as Jack Wilshere makes his 100th appearance for the club by replacing Tomas Rosicky.
SUBSTITUTION: Another swift change for the Gunners here as Nacho Monreal comes on for Olivier Giroud.
BOOKING: Scott Parker becomes the first Fulham player to get a yellow card this afternoon for a late challenge on Cazorla.
SUBSTITUTION: Last change of the match for Fulham as Giorgos Karagounis takes the place of Steve Sidwell.
GOAL! FULHAM 1-3 ARSENAL (BENT)
Credit to Fulham, they have continued to plug away and they get their reward with a debut goal for Darren Bent. Berbatov's initial strike was parried away by Szczesny, but Bent was there to tap the ball home on the line. Meanwhile, Kasami goes into the book for a clumsy tackle on Mertesacker.
BOOKING: Wilshere is the latest name to pick up a yellow card for hauling down Karagounis.
SUBSTITUTION: Arsenal bring on their only summer signing for the final 10 minutes or so as Yaya Sanogo replaces Lukas Podolski.
Great play from Wilshere. Fulham threaten with a quick counter-attack, but the midfielder is there to break up the move with a superb tackle on Kasami.
They may be losing, but Fulham are certainly giving their fans plenty to cheer about as the match enters the final few minutes. They haven't allowed their heads to drop as they continue to push for a second goal.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time...
SAVE! Good stop from Stockdale as the Fulham goalkeeper pushes away Walcott's effort after the winger was played in by Cazorla.
FULL TIME: FULHAM 1-3 ARSENAL
The final whistle goes to bring to an end a successful afternoon for Arsenal as they pick up their first Premier League points of the season with a 3-1 win at Fulham. Lukas Podolski scored twice for the Gunners, while Olivier Giroud got the other before Darren Bent grabbed a consolation for the hosts.
Anyway, that's all from me for now. However, don't forget that we have live text commentaries from all of today's other Premier League fixtures so stick around on the site and get your fill of weekend football action. Enjoy!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
