Bukayo Saka has been injured since mid-December. Now he made his comeback in Arsenal’s win against Fulham and scored directly with a header. This means the Gunners are putting even more pressure on league leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kept faith with most of his starting lineup after the recent 1-0 win over Chelsea, making only one change. Nwaneri, who is just 18 years old, was preferred to Trossard (on the bench).
Fulham coach Marco Silva, on the other hand, rotated his team after the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and made five changes. Diop, Cuenca, Traoré, Smith Rowe and Jimenez replaced Bassey, Iwobi, Pereira, Willian and Rodrigo Muniz (all on the bench).
Merino scores the 1-0 with ease
The game started rather cautiously. The Gunners pressed Fulham high up in the opening minutes and repeatedly won the ball back early. But only a shot from Thomas (7th minute) was even remotely dangerous in the first 20 minutes. Shortly after, however, Nwaneri had the best chance so far. After a cross from Gabriel Martinelli, the 18-year-old took a direct volley, but Leno was able to parry it away (24′
Arsenal then dominated the action and repeatedly crossed dangerously down the left wing via Gabriel Martinelli. But in the 37th minute, it was a great interplay on the right that led to the hosts taking a 1-0 lead. Timber made a superb through-ball to Nwaneri, who played the ball straight into the middle to the completely unmarked Merino. The Spaniard was unable to control the ball immediately, but he was hardly under pressure. Andersen deflected his shot past Leno.
Dream comeback for Saka
Not much happened after that, and so Arteta’s team went into the break with a well-deserved lead. The second half began much more furiously. First Jimenez had a good chance to equalize (52nd) and shortly after Timber on the opposite side (54th).
In the 66th minute, Saka, who had suffered a knee tendon injury in December and had not played since, made his comeback. After that, the Gunners pushed the guests back and just seven minutes after his substitution, Saka’s already special day was crowned. After a cross from Merino, the outstanding Gabriel Martinelli extended Martinelli’s heel with a spectacular touch. The ball landed exactly at the English national striker, who only had to head it (73rd).
Fulham then tried everything again and came up with a great chance to get back into the game through Rodrigo Muniz. But his header went just wide of the goal (81′). It wasn’t until the fourth minute of stoppage time that the Brazilian was able to celebrate and score the 1-2. After a cross from Sessegnon, he nodded the ball into the bottom right corner with his head.
But the goal came too late and so the hosts won 2-1 in the end, fully deserved. Next Saturday (1:30 p.m.) Arsenal travel to Everton, a day later (3 p.m.) Fulham host Liverpool.
