Bukayo Saka marked his return from a lengthy injury absence with a goal as Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 on Tuesday to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to nine points.
Saka came off the bench to head in on his first appearance since December 21, after Mikel Merino’s deflected effort had given Arsenal a first-half lead.
However, victory came at a cost as key defender Gabriel Magalhaes limped off injured.
“It was a good opportunity to see how much people love him and missed him,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Saka’s ovation before he even stepped foot back on the field.
“The reception he got was magnificent. He lifts the stadium and I am so happy for him because he fully deserves it.”
Rodrigo Muniz pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but defeat is a blow to Fulham’s ambitions of European football next season.
The Cottagers remain in eighth, three points outside a top-five finish that would almost certainly secure Champions League football next season.
Just one week away from the Gunners’ Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Real Madrid, the sight of Gabriel pulling up with a hamstring problem added to Arteta’s injury woes.
Jurrien Timber was also forced off late with a knee injury.
“(We are) worried because he never wants to come off and he had to,” added Arteta. “He felt he could not continue.”
– Enter Saka –
However, the return of Saka is a massive boost to Arsenal’s faint hopes of chasing down Liverpool and a shot at becoming European champions for the first time.
Arsenal’s place in the top five is looking assured as they move 14 points clear of sixth-placed Newcastle.
Arteta’s men are on course to finish second for the third consecutive season given Liverpool’s commanding lead.
But the Spaniard showed no
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