An Alex Kacaniklic strike handed Fulham all three points in what was another exciting Barclays Premier Reserve League South encounter on Tuesday evening.
Simon Davies played the full 90 minutes as he continued his road to recovery, while Italian striker Marcello Trotta came in, having returned to the Club following a successful three-month loan at League One Wycombe where he scored eight goals in eight games, as Billy McKinlay named a strong starting 11.
But it was Arsenal, who had taken just one point from their last four league matches, that started the brightest as their ensemble of highly-talented teens quickly found their feet.
Craig Eastmond had the best of their early chances, but fired wide from the edge of the box following a clever pass from Oguzhan Ozyakup, while the tricky Sanchez Watt also went close.
At the other end Davies flashed a ball across the face of the Arsenal box, but it was the Gunners that enjoyed the best of not just the early chances, but possession too.
Bjorn Helge Riise cleared Ignasi Miquel’s looping header off the line, while the impressive Rafik Halliche made a good block to deny Serge Gnabry a strike at goal as the visitors continued to threaten.
Gradually though, Fulham began to wrestle control of the game, and with Pajtim Kasami growing in confidence, chances were soon created.
In fact, it was the Swiss youngster that went closest to breaking the deadlock for the hosts when striking an ambitious effort narrowly wide from distance, before going even closer from a central set-piece.
Half-chances fell to Alex Kacaniklic and Trotta too, as Fulham looked to finish the half on top, with Lukasz Fabianski saving especially well from the latter, before making an even better save to keep out Kasami’s overhead kick.
And after a fine finish to the first period, McKinlay’s side were rewarded within five minutes of the restart, moving the ball from inside their own box and finishing in style when Kacaniklic slotted in a low drive from the left of the Arsenal box.
Another flowing move from deep then saw Trotta force Fabianski into a fine low save at his near post, the striker pouncing on Riise’s searching delivery from the right.
Davies went close to adding a second for Fulham, taking an exquisite touch to bring down Dan Burn’s long pass, only to shoot off target, while Kasami also drew a save from the Arsenal ‘keeper.
At the other end, the Gunners looked largely frustrated in their search for a leveller, with Watts spurning the best of their late ventures forward.
Having started well Arsenal found a Fulham side at their resilient best, as the Whites extended their unbeaten run to four matches.
Fulham DS: Somogyi; Harris, Halliche, Burn, Briggs; BH Riise, Davies, Gecov, Kacaniklic (A Smith 75); Kasami; Trotta. (Subs): G Smith, Pritchard, Donegan, Altman
Arsenal Reserves: Fabianski; Angha, Monteiro, Hoyte, Miguel; Eastmond, Meade (Rees 65), Ozyakup, Miyaichi (Ebecilio 65); Watt, Gnabry (Ansah 55). (Subs): Martinez, Wynter