Bukayo Saka scored after just seven minutes in his return to Arsenal but the Gunners lost Gabriel Magalhaes to a suspected hamstring injury as they won 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium against Fulham.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka Returns and Scores
Bukayo Saka scored an acrobatic flick from Gabriel Martinelli. Saka scored the goal from back post side after being brought on as a substitute as the home crowd celebrated the return of their hero on his first game since December after suffering a hamstring injury. He went to the bench to hug a member of the club’s medical team during the celebrations.
Make-shift striker Mikel Merino had previously given Arsenal the lead with a deflected shot from Ethan Nwaneri’s cross. This marked the sixth goal for the Make-shift striker in 10 matches for club and country. This strike came after Gabriel had limped off the field. This leaft the defender in doubt for next week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid.
Gabriel could be seen pulling up and clutching his hamstring while sprinting back towards his own goal in pursuit of Fulham’s Adama Traore and had to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior in the 16th minute.
Mikel Arteta on Injury Updates
“Gabi felt something in his hamstring,” confirmed Arteta afterwards. The Arsenal boss said he was unsure on the severity of the injury but admitted he was “worried” and there was a further blow as Jurrien Timber had to come off late in the game with a knee issue.
It appeared Arsenal’s defence, already without Ben White, who missed out with a niggle, and the injured Riccardo Calafiori, were set to keep a clean sheet in Gabriel’s absence. While Fulham substitute Rodrigo Muniz pulled a goal back in stoppage time. Muniz scored after missing a glorious headed chance minutes earlier.
Arsenal were grateful for the final whistle in the end but they dominated the encounter overall, with Martin Odegaard spurning chances to extend their lead, Merino having a second-half effort cleared off the line, and Timber forcing a good save from Bernd Leno.
Bukayo Saka’s Goal Against Fulham
Bukayo Saka’s goal, scored with only his fifth touch, seven minutes after his introduction, provided a moment to savour for the home fans. While Gabriel’s withdrawal, and that of Timber later in the game, cast a shadow over their night.
Gabriel, whose partnership with William Saliba has become a major asset to Arsenal, looked despondent as he limped around the pitch and down the tunnel. His absence against Real Madrid would be a significant blow to Arsenal’s Champions League chances.
It appears just the latest in a series of hamstring injuries for Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners will hope Gabriel’s injury is not as severe as those of Saka and Havertz.
Saka and Havertz’s injuries required surgery, something Arsenal will hope to avoid in Gabriel’s case. Even a grade one hamstring injury, which constitutes a pull or strain rather than a tear. Usually takes two to three to recover in order to be back on the field.
Timber’s enforced substitution, having suffered a knock to his knee in the first half, added another worry for Arteta. This rued the potential loss of four defenders in the space of a few days, with White and Calafiori also absent.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta worried about Gabriel but delighted for Saka
Mikel Arteta on Gabriel’s injury: “We are worried because he never wants to come off. He’s not sure about how big it is and what it is exactly. He felt something [in his hamstring], yes.”
On Timber’s injury: “He was struggling earlier and yesterday he wasn’t at his best but we lost Ben [White] as well so he did a big effort to try and play.” Arteta said.
“It was a good opportunity to see how much people love him and missed him. When you are away it’s good to understand who you are as a person and the reception he got was magnificent.
“He lifted the stadium and he deserved it because he does things every day. he is a good example.
On Saka’s celebration with physio Sam Wilson: “It was for the team who helped him during the rehab. It was a good moment” Arteta highlighted.
“It’s about energy and when the stadium is behind the team and showing support and encouragement it lifts the whole place. It’s exactly what we need.”
Head coach Marco Silva on Fulham’s Performance
“It wasn’t a good game from us. Arsenal deserved to win. It was not a good first half and it was difficult when they took control” Silva said.
“Even in the first 10 minutes we looked like we were not aggressive enough, not doing the right moves” Silva on initial minutes of the game.
“We had the ball but not with the attacking aggression we need to have. The second goal makes a massive impact, it’s clear we have to try to stop that, The reaction after that was good, the subs had impact on the game, but it was a bit too late.” Silva on substitutes making an impact in the game.
Arsenal versus Fulham Player Ratings
Arsenal delivered a solid performance, with Martinelli and Merino standing out. Raya, Timber, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, and Nwaneri all earned a rating of 7, while Gabriel received a 6. Merino and Martinelli were the top performers with an 8 each. Among the substitutes, Kiwior and Saka impressed with a 7 and 8, respectively, while Trossard received a 6.
Fulham struggled to make an impact, with Leno and Robinson earning the highest ratings at 7. Cuenca, Diop, Andersen, Berge, Lukic, Castagne, Traore, Smith Rowe, and Jimenez all received a 6. From the bench, Muniz and Sessegnon provided some spark with a 7 each, while Pereira, Willian, and Iwobi were rated 6.
Gabriel Martinelli was named Player of the Match for his outstanding display.
