Arsenal vs Fulham Report

Scorers: Merino 37’, Saka 73’; Muniz 90+4’

Bukayo Saka marked his long-awaited return from injury with a match-winning goal, as Arsenal saw off Fulham 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

With Mikel Merino opening the scoring in the first half, it was Saka’s impact from the bench that ultimately proved decisive, despite a late scare from Rodrigo Muniz, whose stoppage-time strike set up a nervy finish.

The victory made it back-to-back wins over West London sides either side of the international break and extended Arsenal’s remarkable unbeaten home record against Fulham to 33 games in all competitions.

Merino on Target Again as Arsenal Dominate

Arsenal entered the contest needing maximum points to maintain pressure in the title race, and despite a scrappy, stop-start first half, they delivered when it mattered.

The Gunners had to adjust early when Gabriel Magalhães was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury after just 15 minutes – a blow with a UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid looming.

Nonetheless, Ethan Nwaneri impressed in his return to the starting XI, nearly opening the scoring when his volley from Gabriel Martinelli’s cross was beaten away by Bernd Leno. The breakthrough eventually came on 37 minutes.

After escaping Antonee Robinson down the left, Nwaneri cut the ball back into the area for Merino, who controlled before firing a deflected shot past Leno via Jorge Cuenca.

It was the Spaniard’s sixth goal in his last 10 appearances for club and country, underlining his growing influence.

Saka’s Fairytale Moment

Arsenal continued to threaten after the interval. Raúl Jiménez gave the visitors a rare moment of danger with a powerful effort that David Raya turned away, but moments later the Gunners responded through a fizzing drive from Jurriën Timber after a slick one-two with Martin Ødegaard.

The Emirates roared to life in the 66th minute as Bukayo Saka stepped back onto the pitch for the first time in 101 days. Eight minutes later, he capped off his return in the perfect way.

Martinelli, electric down the left, picked out Merino with a sharp pass. The Spaniard lofted in a cross which Martinelli acrobatically flicked toward the far post. Arriving unmarked was Saka, who stooped to nod home his 10th goal of the season and send the home crowd into raptures.

Late Twist from Fulham Adds Drama

Despite a largely dominant performance, Arsenal were nearly undone by a late lapse. Jiménez missed a clear header in the 80th minute, and Martinelli had a third ruled out for offside after finishing Ødegaard’s pass.

Then, in the third minute of stoppage time, Ryan Sessegnon broke forward and fed Muniz, whose scuffed shot took a touch off William Saliba and rolled past Raya to halve the deficit.

However, Arsenal stood firm through the remaining minutes to secure all three points, a crucial result in their push to remain within striking distance of the Premier League summit.

What’s Next for Arsenal

Next up, Arsenal travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in Premier League action on Saturday, before attention turns to Europe with a blockbuster Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday, April 8.

The Gunners will then return to domestic duty against Brentford at the Emirates the following weekend.

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Arsenal v Fulham, 2024/25 | Premier League