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Bukayo Saka made a triumphant return from injury, scoring a crucial goal as Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Fulham on Tuesday, narrowing the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to nine points.
Saka, who had been sidelined since December 21, came off the bench to score a header, marking a successful comeback. Mikel Merino had earlier put Arsenal ahead with a deflected shot in the first half.
Despite the win, Arsenal suffered a blow as key defender Gabriel Magalhães limped off the pitch with a hamstring injury, adding to manager Mikel Arteta’s injury woes ahead of the Gunners’ upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
Fulham managed to pull a goal back in stoppage time, with Rodrigo Muniz finding the net, but it was too late to impact the result. The loss is a setback for Fulham’s hopes of securing a top-five finish and European football for next season, as they remain in eighth place, three points adrift of a Champions League spot.
With the Champions League quarter-finals on the horizon, Arsenal’s place in the top five appears secure, moving 14 points clear of sixth-placed Newcastle. While Liverpool’s commanding lead makes a title push unlikely, Arsenal will focus on their upcoming European fixtures, with Saka’s return offering a much-needed boost.
Merino’s deflected goal gave Arsenal a slender first-half lead in a match where attacking opportunities were scarce. Saka’s arrival in the 65th minute sparked the biggest cheer of the night at the Emirates, and just eight minutes later, he scored his 10th goal of the season, heading in a cross from Gabriel Martinelli.
Muniz had a chance to set up a tense finish but missed an open header before eventually scoring a late consolation goal, but it was Arsenal who maintained pressure on Liverpool ahead of their Merseyside derby clash with Everton.
