With Bukayo Saka celebrating his comeback in style, Arsenal earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners’ happiness was tempered, though, by a concerning hamstring injury to important defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
Dream Comeback of Bukayo Saka
Making his first appearance for Arsenal since December following a hamstring injury, Bukayo Saka wasted no time in making an impact. Heading home a beautiful pass from Gabriel Martinelli at the back post, the 25-year-old winger scored a beautiful goal. His goal, coming with just his fifth touch, set the Emirates crowd ablaze and underlined his value to Mikel Arteta’s team.
Rushing to the dugout to hug an Arsenal medical staff member, Saka’s celebration was touching as he recognized the personnel behind his rehabilitation. As the Gunners work toward the Premier League championship and get ready for a vital Champions League match against Real Madrid, his comeback offers them great encouragement.
Major Concern For Arsenal: Gabriel Magalhaes Injury
Arsenal supporters rejoiced comeback of Bukayo Saka, but Gabriel Magalhaes forced off in the 16th minute was a significant setback for them. Tracking back against Adama Traore, the Brazilian center-back pulled up holding his hamstring. He was replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
Mikel Arteta voiced his worries following the game:
“We are concerned as he never wants to leave off. He felt something in his hamstring even though he wasn’t sure how large it was.
Gabriel’s injury might be a significant setback for Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final versus Real Madrid. With Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori are already out. Even Jurrien Timber also suffered a knee problem during the match.
Merino Shines as Makeshift Striker for Arsenal
Scoring Arsenal’s first goal, Mikel Merino kept up his excellent play by bringing his total to six goals in ten matches for club and country. To give the Gunners the lead in the first half, the midfielder-turned-forward seized on a deflected cross from Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal had to endure a late fright even though they dominated the match. After passing up a great opportunity earlier, Fulham replacement Rodrigo Muniz scored back in stoppage time. Arsenal, though, hung on to take all three points, closing the distance to Liverpool, the Premier League leaders.
Defensive Crisis of Arsenal Before Champions League Clash
Arteta is going to face a great deal of difficulties while selecting his team for the upcoming European tie against Real Madrid. Gabriel’s hamstring and Timber’s knee issues are the new list of injuries. Gabriel with Saliba has been the backbone of the team’s defensive success and missing one of the pair is going to have a great impact on the team as well.
Arsenal will be wishing Gabriel’s injury is not as serious as those experienced by Saka and Kai Havertz earlier this season. A serious hamstring injury might cause Gabriel to miss both legs of the Champions League quarter-final.
Marco Silva: Fulham Did Not Deserve to Win Against Arsenal
Fulham manager Marco Silva said his team fell short of achieving a result:
Our performance was not good. Arsenal earned victory. Especially in the first half, we lacked aggressiveness. The second goal had a significant effect; although we responded brilliantly late in the game, it was too little, too late.
Fulham still sits seventh after their late comeback and will have to recover fast in their quest for European participation.
Looking Forward: Return of Bukayo Saka
Arsenal’s win maintains them in the title hunt, but the injury worries cloud their achievement. Arteta has to address his increasing defensive issue since important games are approaching. The return of Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, is a great plus; his impact may be Arsenal’s secret weapon in the next vital weeks.
All eyes will be on Gabriel’s recuperation and whether Arteta can negotiate this difficult time without his key defenders as Arsenal gets ready for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
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