Football news - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on target as Arsenal put four past Fulham

Arsenal returned to winning ways after their humiliation against Liverpool as they put four past Fulham to close the gap on the top four.

Unai Emery’s side came into the match having won just one of their last five games in all competitions, with the 5-1 dismantling at the hands of Liverpool on Saturday raising questions of the Gunners.

However, this was a strong rebuttal, with Granit Xhaka giving Arsenal the lead after 25 minutes, controlling an Alex Iwobi cross before finishing past Sergio Rico. The Swiss could have added a second before the break, but this time Rico denied him.

Alexandre Lacazette scored his seventh goal of the season to give Arsenal a two-goal cushion, only for Aboubakar Kamara to give Fulham a lifeline following some good work down the left wing by Ryan Sessegnon.

Arsenal found themselves in a game at this point, but goals from substitute Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wrapped up the win and saw the Gunners move within two points of Chelsea in fourth place, who play Southampton on Wednesday.

The Welshman came off the bench to make a significant contribution for the Gunners, scoring the goal that ended Fulham’s fightback. From today Ramsey can talk to other clubs about a pre-contract, with his current Arsenal deal up at the end of the season. Every elite club in Europe, from Barcelona to Juventus, are thought to be interested, so are Arsenal really prepared to let such a valuable asset leave the club on a free?

Arsenal’s relationship with Xhaka is a peculiar one. In some ways, the Swiss holds them back as a team. And yet the Gunners depend on him. The 26-year-old demonstrated just how important he is to Arsenal with this performance, not just scoring the opening goal that got his side on their way, but controlling things in the centre of the pitch. Aubameyang, Iwobi and Lacazette also shone, but Xhaka shone brighter.

Arsenal - Leno 5, Koscielny 5, Mustafi 5, Sokratis 5, Maitland-Niles 7, Xhaka 8, Guendouzi 6, Kolasinac 6, Iwobi 8, Aubameyang 7, Lacazette 7. Subs - Torreira 4, Ramsey 6, Saka 5.

Fulham - Rico 8, Christie5, Odoi 5, Le Marchand 6, Ream 6, Byram 5, Cisse 5, Cairney 5, Schurrle 6, Sessegnon 6, Mitrovic 7. Subs - Seri 6, Kamara 7, Fosu-Mensah 5.

15’ Sessegnon was clean through! That was a bit let off for Arsenal. Schurrle turns and sets free Sessegnon, who was through on the Arsenal goal, but he sends his shot wide of the far post.

24’ Another big chance! Sessegnon was presented with another golden opportunity. Schurrle put in the ball, Sessegnon was unmarked, but the youngster completely fluffs his lines.

25’ GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Fulham: After a poor start to the match it's Arsenal who have taken the lead after 25 minutes. Iwobi's cross from the left bounced through to Xhaka, who controlled the ball on his thigh before volleying past Rico in the Fulham goal. He had so much time and space!

35’ What a save! That probably should have been a second goal for Arsenal. The ball was played back to Xhaka inside the box, but somehow Rico made the reaction save to deny him.

55’ GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Fulham: There's a second for Arsenal and they have a cushion! Aubameyang slots through Kolasinac, who in turns cuts the ball back for Lacazette. The Frenchman settles himself and then fires into the back of the net with aplomb.

68’ That was a chance! Seri teases a great ball into the box, with Mitrovic getting on the end of the delivery. But the Serbian's header was straight at Leno. Either side and it would have been a goal.

69’ GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Fulham: Fulham have given themselves a lifeline! It was sloppy from Arsenal. Torreira loses the ball 30 yards out from goal, the pass is played to Sessegnon, who puts the ball across the face of goal for Kamara to finish from close range.

79’ GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Fulham: Panic over for Arsenal. That third goal should be enough to secure the points and it's Ramsey who has grabbed it! Aubameyang struck the post, but the Welshman was on hand to finish, finding the far corner of the Fulham net.

83’ GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Fulham: A fourth goal for Arsenal and Aubameyang finally adds his name to the score sheet. Fulham left the striker unmarked down the right channel and he finds the back of the net, via a pretty wicked deflection.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the Premier League’s top scorer this season, with 14 goals in 21 games.

Arsenal have scored 10 goals via substitutes this season, more than any other side in the Premier League.

Three of Alexandre Lacazette’s seven Premier League goals for Arsenal this season have come against Fulham.