This was Bukayo Saka’s moment. Out for 101 days with a hamstring injury, Arsenal supporters crammed into the Emirates with the anticipation of seeing him for the first time this year. They were not disappointed.
The cheers when he began warming up on the touchline in the first half rivalled those that welcomed Mikel Merino’s opener. But neither moment could compare with the decibel levels when Arsenal’s No 7 returned to the Emirates turf, and then scored what turned out to be the match-winning goal six minutes and 36 seconds later.
After the 2-1 win against Fulham, Mikel Arteta spoke of those six minutes: “A beautiful moment to see how much our people love, respect and admire Bukayo. It’s not a surprise to any of us and the best example is his reaction.
“Immediately after scoring a goal, what does he do? He goes and says thank you for all the hard work that all the sports science guys, physios and everybody involved in the recovery have done for him to be in the condition that he is. He lifted the stadium, the energy, and it is great to have him back.”
Saka hugged Sam Wilson, one of Arsenal’s fitness coaches, after the goal. Wilson helps players with individual training as they recover but Saka’s recognition of the collective work of Arsenal’s medical staff could be seen at full time with more hugs given to those in the department as he walked towards the tunnel.
Arteta declared the 23-year-old “ready to go” at the start of the week and Saka’s 24 minutes on the pitch were in line with expectations for his first competitive appearance since December. His performance also built on an encouraging display from fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli to make Arsenal more dangerous in attack.
Martinelli’s positivity sparked Saka’s goal. The Brazil international dribbled forward from midfield before delicately flicking Merino’s cross into the path of Saka, who headed in at the back post. It was not the first time Martinelli had caused issues for the Fulham back line.
Arsenal’s first shots of the game came from Martinelli driving at Timothy Castagne and crossing into the box. Later in the game, he nutmegged and floored the Fulham full-back. According to Opta, Martinelli created five chances and completed two of the three dribbles he attempted.
Before kick-off, Arsenal’s Premier League matches were averaging 23.6 shots per match (13.9 for and 9.7 against) — the lowest of any side in the division. Within that, they ranked 11th in the league for shot-creating actions via a take-on. Even after three months out, Saka still comfortably ranked highest at Arsenal on this stat (nine shots created after a take-on, ahead of second-placed Martinelli on five).
The most exciting period under Arteta arguably came two years ago, when Arsenal players were constantly taking on defenders. Halfway through the 2022-23 season, they were the second-most efficient dribblers in the league, with Martinelli, Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus each asking different questions of the opposition. This season, Arsenal rank 10th in the league for take-on success rate (43.4 per cent), but Martinelli’s impetus on the left was particularly timely before the return of Saka on the right.
“Martinelli was superb,” Arteta added. “You see how much we missed him, that threat, that attacking purpose that he has every time he’s on the ball.”
Saka and Martinelli combined for six Premier League goals in that 2022-23 season. Saka assisted five Martinelli goals and Martinelli assisted one Saka goal.
This Saka goal was his 10th in all competitions this term, making it the third successive season he has registered double figures for both goals and assists — the only other Premier League players to match him in that period are Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes.
◉ Highest xA (5.62) ◉ Most take-ons completed (33) ◉ Most big chances created (19) ◉ Most goals + assists (15)
◉ Most assists (10)
He’s back. 👀 pic.twitter.com/qqX2C9fxit
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 31, 2025
He was unlucky not to add an assist to equal his best tally for a season (14), finding Thomas Partey with a deep cross and Leandro Trossard with a quick lay-off inside he box.
Rediscovering goal threat and chance creation through dribbling could be crucial before the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, with the first leg at the Emirates on Tuesday. Given just under half an hour against Fulham, Everton away on Saturday will be the next tester to see how much football Saka can play.
In the meantime, the emergence of Merino as a makeshift No 9 and Ethan Nwaneri as a deputy on the right wing proved valuable again. The opener was the sixth time Merino had given his side the lead in the Premier League from seven goals for Arsenal and Newcastle United. It was also Nwaneri’s second senior assist for Arsenal, with the first also coming for the Spain international in February’s 2-0 away win at Leicester City.
Even if injuries to defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber put a blot on the evening, solutions are coming in forward areas and Saka is, once again, the embodiment of hope filtering through the Emirates.
(Top photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
