After 101 days on the sidelines, Bukayo Saka wasted no time marking his return to fitness, scoring just six minutes into his comeback as Arsenal triumphed 2-1 over Fulham at the Emirates on Tuesday night.
“We missed him,” admitted Mikel Arteta, who also acknowledged that it had been a “hard decision” to hold Saka back from starting against the Cottagers. After a sluggish first 30 minutes, it seemed as though Arteta’s choice might have been a mistake.
There were concerns that Fulham, still reeling from their FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace, might struggle. However, both teams were lackluster in the opening stages.
The initial excitement surrounding Saka’s return was dampened by an injury to Gabriel, who was forced off after just 16 minutes, casting doubt on his availability for next week’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
With Saka sidelined, Ethan Nwaneri started in his place and played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s opening goal in the 37th minute. Nwaneri’s low cutback found Mikel Merino, whose mishit shot deflected off Jorge Cuenca’s knee and into the far corner.
Arsenal came out stronger in the second half, creating a couple of solid chances before securing a second goal through none other than Saka. On a night that marked his perfect return, Gabriel Martinelli also shone, tormenting Fulham’s Timothy Castagne. Martinelli’s back-heel flick from Merino’s cross set up Saka, who nodded in Arsenal’s second goal in the 73rd minute. The winger, who had spent three months recovering from a hamstring injury, celebrated by embracing Sam Wilson, the fitness coach who helped him through his rehabilitation.
Despite Saka’s brilliance, it was a mixed night for Arsenal. Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz pulled one back with a deflected strike in stoppage time, after already squandering a clear chance by outpacing Jakub Kiwior, who was filling in for the injured Gabriel. Jurrien Timber also limped off, adding to the sense that, while three points were secured, Arsenal’s evening was marred by injuries.
