For much of this season, Arsenal looked like they could have done with Emile Smith Rowe being back at the Emirates Stadium. As injuries in midfield mounted up and Martin Odegaard's absence, in particular, left a gaping hole in the side, his form at Fulham was bittersweet.

Most of those around Arsenal will struggle not to take joy in seeing an academy graduate and one of the club's record sales performing well elsewhere. After his battles with injury and form, then simply a lack of game time under Mikel Arteta last season even when fit, an exit was needed.

Smith Rowe remains a popular figure with many and his impressive start to life under Marco Silva across London has effectively put him back on the map. With three goals this season, only three Arsenal players boast more. He has made a bigger impact than Leandro Trossard or Raheem Sterling, for example.

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It has helped lead Fulham to being just one point off Newcastle in fifth after almost half the season. They had already taken points from Liverpool and Arsenal themselves before a miraculous (and deserved) turnaround at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.

Chelsea looked set to move four points clear of Arsenal once again as Enzo Maresca saw his side leading 1-0 in the 81st minute. Two quickfire goals ensured that Mikel Arteta will have the chance to take his side into second instead when Ipswich Town visit north London on Friday.

Smith Rowe missed the game with injury but could soon return to the side. Reiss Nelson, who also moved to Fulham - albeit on loan rather than in an expensive permanent deal - had to sit it out as well. He is expected to be sidelined for longer with a hamstring problem that has already cost him four appearances.

Nelson hasn't been used as regularly but is playing a key role for Silva when available and had been building up momentum on the left-wing prior to picking up a knock. Both players have contributed to Fulham's rise up the table, where they are level with Manchester City on points, above Aston Villa, Tottenham, Brighton, and Manchester United.

Posting on Instagram after Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz's goals at Chelsea, the pair both added heart emojis to express their delight at the victory. For Arsenal., it could be a significant result.

Chelsea had won five of their previous six in the league heading into Thursday's match, emerging as the closest contender to Liverpool for the title. An unbeaten stretch going back to mid-October saw Maresca's side pick up momentum at a key stage.

Only Liverpool and Manchester City had beaten the Blues this season until Fulham went to town. It is a run in 2024 following on from Mauricio Pochettino's strong finish to last term that has cemented their place as the fourth best team in the country.

That promised to express itself in the form of an outside and unexpected title charge. Those aspirations, albeit heavily downplayed by Maresca himself and much of the squad, have been dented. Whilst Chelsea remain on track for a top four finish, Arsenal's loftier hopes of pushing Liverpool and becoming the true force at the top, have been boosted.

Although not directly by Smith Rowe and Nelson on this occasion, their part to play in the Fulham story cannot be overstated. For all parties, the summer transfers appeared to make sense, and even Smith Rowe's brief pitch to become one who could have helped out as additional cover over October and November now seems a long time ago.