Arsenal vs Fulham LIVE: Reaction as Saka scores the winner on his return for the Gunners
Arsenal 2-1 Fulham: Bukayo Saka makes a perfect return as he scores the winner in accomplished Arsenal performance
Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday as Bukayo Saka came off the bench to score the winner and keep up the pressure on league leaders Liverpool.
The hosts dominated the opening exchanges, with Gabriel being forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury before it all sparked into life as Mikel Merino made the space to squeeze through a shot that deflected past Bernd Leno.
That goal gave Arsenal plenty of impetus and they began the second half brilliantly, making their dominance count with several chances before Saka nodded home from a brilliant Gabriel Martinelli flick.
Arsenal rode their luck at times in a game of fine margins, with Rodrigo Muniz grabbing a consolation in stoppage time, but it mattered little as the Gunners held out to secure a deserved win in an accomplished home performance.
Follow all the updates from the Emirates Stadium with our live blog below:
Arsenal suffer another injury setback as Gabriel limps off against Fulham
Arsenal have suffered yet another injury setback after Gabriel limped off early into their visit of Fulham.
The Brazilian defender appeared to be hobbling around the box before hitting the turf, holding his leg and shaking his head.
Gunners players immediately indicated to the referee to halt play, with it clear Gabriel would not be able to continue.
Arsenal suffer another injury setback as Gabriel limps off against Fulham
Premier League to introduce semi-automated offside technology this month
Semi-automated offsides will be introduced in Premier League matches for the latter stages of the current season, the league has revealed.
The technology was originally intended to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks in October or November.
It was notably debuted in English football during the FA Cup fifth round at the start of March, featuring in seven of the eight ties being played.
Premier League to introduce semi-automated offside technology
Premier League fixtures
There are plenty more intriguing Premier League fixtures this week too. The midweek games are as follows:
Wednesday, 2 April
Manchester City vs Leicester City
Southampton vs Crystal Palace
Bournemouth vs Ipswich
Brighton vs Aston Villa
Newcastle vs Brentford
Liverpool vs Everton (8pm)
Thursday, 3 April
Chelsea vs Tottenham (8pm)
Up next
Arsenal’s next match is the weekend’s early kick-off against Everton on Saturday, with that match starting at 12.30 at Goodison.
After that, the Gunners face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates, with that game taking place a week today.
For Fulham, it doesn’t get any easier as they host league leaders Liverpool on Sunday at 2pm.
Arteta on Saka
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Arteta says that it “is impossible not to love” Bukayo Saka..
"[His injury] has been very tough for everybody. When you are trying to win the Champions League and Premier League you need your best players on the pitch so for him to be out for four months has been extremely tough.
"He has been connected and tried to help the rest of the players so that when he came back that made sure he was in a good position.
"I told him to stay focused on what you have to do on the pitch because it is a lot to do that with all the emotion as well. Stick with what you have to do and focus on those actions,” he adds.
Arteta reacts
Arteta continues by saying that he thought his side deserved to win and “were very dominant, [and] conceded absolutely nothing”.
On the injuries to Timber and Gabriel, Arteta says that Arsenal "don't know how they're going to be."
"They are two players in this team who never want to come off. He [Gabriel] felt something in his hamstring.
Bukayo Saka’s fairytale return proves he has the potential to be Arsenal’s miracle-maker
Sometimes the blatantly predictable is best in football.
A night built around Bukayo Saka’s long-awaited return from injury, Arsenal’s superstar winger marked his comeback with a goal as the Gunners ran out 2-1 winners over Fulham. A win that nibbled away at Liverpool’s hefty margin at the top of the Premier League table, Saka’s moment did far more than secure the points for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal started the day 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, but you really wouldn’t have been able to tell that going off the Emirates atmosphere. No matter what you think of the anthem, a rousing rendition of North London Forever preceded the contest, with the Gunners faithful remaining in full voice for the opening stages. He was only on the bench, but the impact of Saka’s long-awaited return to the fold was evident from the outset.
Saka’s fairytale return shows his miracle-making potential for Arsenal
Arteta reacts
Arteta is speaking now, and he calls Saka’s goal “a beautiful moment”.
“[It was] a beautiful moment to see how much our people love and respect Bukayo.
The best result is the reaction and he goes and says thank you to the sports science guys,” he adds.
Rice reacts
Declan Rice spoke to Sky Sports after the match, calling Saka “one of the best wingers in the world”.
“He attacks the box and sniffs the goal. You take them, he's in the right position at the right time and topped off a great night for him and for us.
"He gives us an outlet. All of our front players are so different and rotate so well. [Gabriel] Martinelli unbelievable tonight, real outlet for us and done well for Bukayo's goal. With Bukayo back it's a real boost.
“Most teams play back fives here now and it's down to us to break that down. You have to be mindful. It was comfortable but probably the last 10-15 minutes we were a bit naive and they could've scored two or three."
On the potential Gabriel injury, he adds: "I don't know what's happened, I hope he's OK because he's been arguably our best player this season and we need him for big matches and big occasions."
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