Bukayo Saka scored in his first Arsenal game in more than three months in a 2-0 victory over Fulham.
The England international, who has been badly missed after a hamstring injury suffered in December, headed in just minutes after coming off the bench to seal a comfortable victory at the Emirates, with Rodrigo Muniz netting a consolation for the Whites in added time.
Mikel Merino’s deflected strike had put the hosts ahead shortly before the half-time whistle for a victory which reduced the gap behind Liverpool, albeit still to a hefty nine points.
Fulham lost ground in their efforts to qualify for Europe but remain eighth in the Premier League.
Arsenal ease past Fulham
Arsenal began on the front foot but struggled to carve out clear-cut chances, with Ethan Nwaneri going closest inside the first 25 minutes with a volley which was saved by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
But with 37 minutes on the clock, Arsenal finally made the breakthough as makeshirt striker Merino shifted in and out before his effort took a deflection which wrong-footed Leno and found the opposite corner.
pic.twitter.com/o4gbQQGT8n
— topandgood (@topandgoods) April 1, 2025
The Gunners started the second half with plenty more urgency with Nwaneri nearly finishing off a brilliant move involving Martin Odegaard but Leno was once again equal to the youngster’s shot.
Merino was then close to his second after a typically dangerous corner was knocked down to the Spaniard but his effort was deflected wide.
Saka makes dream return
Just after the hour mark, the Emirates rose to their feet as they welcomed fan favourite Saka back onto the field after almost four months out.
And before long, the 23-year-old had rubber-stamped his return with a goal. Gabriel Martinelli was heavily involved as he drove forward before backheeling a cross into the path of his attacking partner who had the easiest of headers.
The Starboy is back. Welcome back, Bukayo Saka (with an INSANE assist from Martinelli) pic.twitter.com/qlUcmF1pMb
— Roberto Rojas (@RobertoRojas97) April 1, 2025
Fulham barely laid a glove on the hosts for much of the game but Rodrigo Muniz should have halved the deficit in the final 10 minutes but the striker failed to turn in Alex Iwobi’s cross with the goal gaping.
Martinelli then thought he had scored a deserved goal to seal the victory but his sidefooted finish was chalked off for offside.
The Whites did eventually get on the scoresheet as Muniz bundled in Ryan Sessegnon’s cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time but, despite a few hairy moments, it was too little, too late for Marco Silva’s men as the hosts held on for the three points.
