With Manchester City laying down the title race gauntlet earlier in the day, Mikel Arteta’s men sought to swiftly re-establish their place at the summit in west London.
The Cottagers looked to halt their ascent, with early chances falling to Tom Cairney and Harry Wilson in a promising start by the hosts.
Riccardo Calafiori thought he had fired the Gunners in front with a ferocious left-footed strike at the other end, but the Italian’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Arsenal were struggling to make themselves feel at home in the Cottage as Wilson fired wide, before David Raya parried Josh King’s awkward cross-shot over at the last moment.
The visitors ended the half strongly, though, with Bernd Leno denying Viktor Gyokeres from a tight angle, while Calafiori was not too far away with another speculative attempt.
Marco Silva would have been content with the first-half showing from his team, but was dealt a blow shortly before half-time when Joachim Andersen was withdrawn injured.
Wilson was presented with another opportunity after the restart when he volleyed over from Alex Iwobi’s cross, but it was crucially Arteta's side who struck first through Leandro Trossard.
The Premier League set-piece specialists found the breakthrough from a corner, as Gabriel flicked on Bukayo Saka’s delivery into the box, and Trossard finished at the far post.
No team has had more different goalscorers - excluding own-goals - in the PL this season, with Trossard becoming the 10th to score for the Gunners.
Drama then ensued when referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, penalising Kevin for a lunge on Saka in the box, but the Brazilian earned a reprieve when the call was overturned.
Arsenal held on with relative ease to continue their fine run on the road, suffering only one defeat in their last 18 PL away games (W10, D7).
The message has now been sent to reigning champions Liverpool, who can move back to within a point of Arteta’s side with victory over Manchester United tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Fulham have now won just one of their previous 15 PL H2Hs (D4, L10), and sit 14th after suffering a third consecutive league defeat for the first time since December 2023.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
