Trossard sets a Premier League record by providing a hat-trick of assists

Star of the show Leandro Trossard set a Premier League record, as Arsenal comfortably saw off Fulham to restore their five point lead at the top of the table.

The Gunners dispatched of their London rivals 3-0 at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, thanks to goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.

However, the architect of Arsenal's display was Trossard, who made Premier League history by becoming the first player to record a hat-trick of assists in the first half of an away game.

The Belgian is also the first Gunners player to hit three assists in a game since Cesc Fabregas' treble in a 6-2 win over Blackburn in October 2009.

Trossard's display underlined the impact he has made since his £27million move from Brighton in the January transfer window.

The afternoon begun with Trossard's curled in corner, which Gabriel headed in, to open the scoring for Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders.

Four minutes later the Gunners doubled their lead, as Trossard's run and cross saw Martinelli make it 2-0. Then, in first-half stoppage time, the Arsenal number 19 completed his hat-trick of assists with a low cross to find Martin Odegaard and put the game beyond their hosts.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the record after the game, the 28-year-old said: 'I'm really happy with it as well. I always try to contribute with goals and assists, help the team going forward and today it went my way. I'm just really happy that we won and we can go forward from this.'

Trossard's trio of assists is the second time this season a player has racked up the achievement, following Roberto Firmino's own treble during Liverpool's 9-0 rout of Bournemouth in August - although the Brazilian's came at home.

That is now five assists in nine games for Trossard, as well as opening his goal-scoring account for the Gunners in the 1-1 draw with Brentford last month.

Arsenal skipper Odegaard, who was the beneficiary of the attacker's third assist was full of praise for his team-mate after the game.

'I think he's brought some amazing things to the team, I love to play with him,' he told Sky Sports.

'He's always there to link up, he always looks for the combinations and when he's in the box he's good to find the right pass like he did today and like he's done in the other games. Really happy to have him on the team.'

It was a day that kept getting better for the north London side, who also saw the return of Gabriel Jesus from injury. The Brazilian hadn't appeared for the club since injuring his knee at the World Cup, but was introduced with 13 minutes left on the clock.

Arsenal now face Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 match on Thursday, before playing host to Crystal Palace in another London derby next Sunday.