YOUNG keeper Vito Mannone was safe as houses to keep the Cottagers at bay.
Robin van Persie duperbly slotted Arsenal's brilliant 52nd-minute winner from a magical Cesc Fabregas pass.
Fulham threw all they had at the Gunners — but stopper Mannone was up to the challenge as Arsene Wenger's men snatched the points. Thomas Vermaelen — Arsenal's leading scorer this year — headed wide as Arsenal charged out of the blocks.
At the other end, Mannone pulled off a fine save to deny Clint Dempsey. And the 21-year-old stopper was in the thick of it again when he floored team-mate William Gallas. Fulham nearly grabbed the lead on 15 minutes.
Zolta Gera fired in a cross, and Andrew Johnson's thumping header was brilliant saved by Mannone. And the young keeper miraculously kept out Dempsey from the rebound. There was no let up from the Cottagers, and Mannone had to stretch to keep out Gera.
Ater a half-time rollicking, Arsenal took the clash by the scruff of the neck. Van Persie then grabbed the opener.
Skipper Fabregas chipped an inch-perfect pass to the Dutchman, who slotted home after a breathtaking first touch.
Nicklas Bendtner surged forward as Arsenal went sniffing for a second. But the Dane dragged his shot wide after ripping through the Fulham defence.
The Gunners back-line were caught napping, and let Dempsey wriggle through. His shot was deflected wide and Bobby Zamora missed a glorious chance following the corner.
A Gera blunder almost let Abou Diaby in. But the startled ace was taken by surprise after Gera's fluffed clearance fell at his feet.
Mannone kept out Johnson and Fulham stepped up their search for a leveller.
And, following a Johnson free-kick, the Italian pulled off another incredible save — denying Zamora yet again.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff (Gera 9), Etuhu (Greening 83), Murphy, Dempsey, Zamora, Andrew Johnson. Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kamara, Riise, Smalling. Booked: Murphy, Zamora, Pantsil, Konchesky.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song Billong, Diaby, Bendtner, Fabregas, Arshavin (Rosicky 68), van Persie (Eboue 83). Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Gibbs.
Goals: van Persie 52.
Att: 25,700
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Robin van Persie duperbly slotted Arsenal's brilliant 52nd-minute winner from a magical Cesc Fabregas pass.
Fulham threw all they had at the Gunners — but stopper Mannone was up to the challenge as Arsene Wenger's men snatched the points. Thomas Vermaelen — Arsenal's leading scorer this year — headed wide as Arsenal charged out of the blocks.
At the other end, Mannone pulled off a fine save to deny Clint Dempsey. And the 21-year-old stopper was in the thick of it again when he floored team-mate William Gallas. Fulham nearly grabbed the lead on 15 minutes.
Zolta Gera fired in a cross, and Andrew Johnson's thumping header was brilliant saved by Mannone. And the young keeper miraculously kept out Dempsey from the rebound. There was no let up from the Cottagers, and Mannone had to stretch to keep out Gera.
Ater a half-time rollicking, Arsenal took the clash by the scruff of the neck. Van Persie then grabbed the opener.
Skipper Fabregas chipped an inch-perfect pass to the Dutchman, who slotted home after a breathtaking first touch.
Nicklas Bendtner surged forward as Arsenal went sniffing for a second. But the Dane dragged his shot wide after ripping through the Fulham defence.
The Gunners back-line were caught napping, and let Dempsey wriggle through. His shot was deflected wide and Bobby Zamora missed a glorious chance following the corner.
A Gera blunder almost let Abou Diaby in. But the startled ace was taken by surprise after Gera's fluffed clearance fell at his feet.
Mannone kept out Johnson and Fulham stepped up their search for a leveller.
And, following a Johnson free-kick, the Italian pulled off another incredible save — denying Zamora yet again.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff (Gera 9), Etuhu (Greening 83), Murphy, Dempsey, Zamora, Andrew Johnson. Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kamara, Riise, Smalling. Booked: Murphy, Zamora, Pantsil, Konchesky.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song Billong, Diaby, Bendtner, Fabregas, Arshavin (Rosicky 68), van Persie (Eboue 83). Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Gibbs.
Goals: van Persie 52.
Att: 25,700
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
