Arsene Wenger’s side extended their incredible unbeaten league run since the start of the season to 37 games with a considerable helping hand from Fulham keeper Edwin van der Sar.

Jose Reyes took full advantage of a costly mistake by the Dutchman with just eight minutes gone and Arsenal’s resolve thereafter was exemplary as they repelled the building Fulham pressure.

Now only Leicester can stop them emulating the feat of the original ’invincibles’ of Preston North End, who may have also remained unbeaten but in a 22-game season back in 1888-89.

And while the Gunners have not been at their best since winning the title with four games to spare, nowhere was their determination to rewrite the record books more evident than in Patrick Vieira.

The Arsenal captain may have cracked a rib in training on the eve of this fixture but he played on, with a painkilling injection after his side’s early goal.

That breakthrough came when van der Sar, who had denied Fredrik Ljungberg after just two minutes, was then left horribly embarrassed by a schoolboy error.

The Dutchman initially struggled to control Martin Djetou’s routine back-pass but, instead of hacking the ball clear as Reyes closed him down, he then tried to dribble his way out of trouble.

It was, to put it mildly, not a good idea. Reyes simply tackled van der Sar before clipping his shot into the empty net and Arsenal were ahead.

Fulham, who had achieved a goalless draw at Highbury earlier this season - when van der Sar was magnificent – suddenly had to rethink their strategy as they had started with a five-man midfield.

However, rather than panicking, they regrouped and started to dominate possession, with Steed Malbranque and Sean Davis leading by example in midfield.

Luis Boa Morte managed to burst clear onto Junichi Inamoto’s through-ball only for Jens Lehmann, who had also saved his side at Fratton Park in midweek, to produce an excellent reaction block.

And while Arsenal were not quite as assured at the back as they have been for most of this season, Sol Campbell was as combative as ever.

Indeed, the Gunners still managed to hold out until the break as Malbranque curled one effort just wide and had another saved by Lehmann.

Malbranque also flashed an overhead kick over the bar, but boss Chris Coleman needed more attacking options and introduced Brian McBride and Collins John for Djetou and Inamoto with 32 minutes left.

Arsenal continued to hold firm, however, and were always dangerous on the break, with the lively Reyes striking the side-netting from the edge of the penalty area.

Jeremie Aliadiere, making his 10th league appearance of the season to guarantee a Premiership winner’s medal, nevertheless replaced the Spaniard with 20 minutes left.

And even if Arsenal were not at their most fluent, their determination to remain unbeaten was clear, as Cole flung himself to block a drive by Sylvain Legwinski.

Moritz Volz, meanwhile, fired a stinging drive just past the far post and Gael Clichy was quickly brought on instead of Pires to add more defensive strength to Arsenal’s left flank.

Malbranque just failed to connect with a flick from McBride, but with Martin Keown continuing his own quest for a winner’s medal as a substitute, it was Arsenal who prevailed.

Thierry Henry even saw a free-kick tipped over the bar, but his team were home and dry. Fulham may have had a superb season but it was simply not their day. Arsenal, meanwhile, are not finished yet.