Leandro Trossard took the Player of the Match award after putting in a brilliant performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 Premier League win over Fulham on Sunday

Leandro Trossard was the architect of Arsenal’s stunning victory over Fulham on Sunday afternoon – and made Premier League history in the process.

The Gunners won 3-0 at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon thanks to goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. The win re-established Arsenal’s five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

It also helped Trossard further emphasize his status as a very useful signing in the January transfer window. Arsenal paid Brighton £27m for the Belgian’s services after failing to land first-choice target Mykhaylo Mudryk, who joined Chelsea.

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Trossard curved in the corner which Gabriel headed in to make it 1–0 before his run and cross allowed Martinelli to head in from close range to make it 2–0. And it was his low cross, once again, that found Odegaard, who kept his composure to hit the Gunners’ third.

Those goals put them 3–0 up at half-time and saw Trossard become the first player in Premier League history to record a hat-trick of assists in the first half of an away game.

Asked about the post-match achievement, Trossard told Sky Sports: “I’m really happy about that too. I always try to contribute with goals and assists, help the team in attack and today it worked. I’m really happy we won and we can move on.”

He is only the second player this season to have three assists in a single game, following Roberto Firmino. The Liverpool striker accomplished the same feat, albeit at home, in Liverpool’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth in August.

Trossard is also in good company in Arsenal history, with club legend Cesc Fabregas being the last player to score a hat-trick of assists in a 6-2 win over Blackburn in October 2009.

Arsenal captain Odegaard praised Trossard. “I think he’s brought amazing things to the team, I love playing with him,” he told Sky Sports. “He’s always there to call, he’s always looking for combinations and when he’s in the area it’s good to find the right pass like he did today and like he did in other games. Very happy to have him on the team.”

Trossard now has five assists for Arsenal in the Premier League this season in just nine games. His impact is demonstrated by a comparison with Tottenham’s two star playeeeers, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, who have five assists.

Mikel Arteta was deeeeelighted to have Trossard at his disposal, with the 28-year-old advancing his squad. Gabriel Jesus returned to the side after a long spell injured on Sunday, but his absence – and a subsequent one for Eddie Nketiah – reduced Arsenal’s options up front.

Trossard prefers to play on the left of the attack, but is capable of playing centrally like a fake No9, while having an eye for goal. The Belgian international scored seven goals in 16 Premier League appearances for Brighton this season before departing for north London.