Bukayo Saka Return Sparks Arsenal’s 2–1 Victory Over Fulham

Bukayo Saka returns lifts Arsenal to 2–1 win over Fulham as winger scores five minutes after substitution in Premier League clash.

Bukayo Saka returns headlines lit up the Emirates Stadium as the winger scored just five minutes after coming on, helping Arsenal secure a 2–1 win over Fulham on April 1, 2025. The Premier League clash showcased the Gunners’ resilience and individual brilliance, with Saka and Mikel Merino leading the charge.

Arsenal dominated possession in the first half but struggled to break down Fulham’s compact defense. The breakthrough came in the 37th minute when Ethan Nwaneri delivered a clever pass to Mikel Merino. His deflected shot beat Bernd Leno, giving Arsenal a deserved 1–0 lead.

However, the celebration was short-lived. Gabriel Magalhães suffered an early injury, raising concerns ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid.

Saka entered the match in the 66th minute and wasted no time. Just five minutes later, he headed home Arsenal’s second goal from a brilliant flick by Gabriel Martinelli. The Emirates crowd erupted as Saka marked his comeback in spectacular fashion.

Fulham managed a late consolation goal through Rodrigo Muniz, but Arsenal held firm to claim all three point.

Arsenal Player Ratings

• David Raya – 6.5/10: Made key saves but was beaten by a deflection.
• Jurrien Timber – 7/10: Solid at the back and supported attacks.
• William Saliba – 7/10: Reliable and composed in defense.
• Gabriel – N/A: Substituted early due to injury.
• Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6/10: Showed composure in midfield.
• Thomas Partey – 7/10: Shielded the defense and pushed forward.
• Declan Rice – 7/10: Worked hard but struggled to unlock Fulham.
• Martin Odegaard – 7/10: Quiet but effective with key passes.
• Ethan Nwaneri – 7/10: Assisted the opener and impressed throughout.
• Mikel Merino – 7/10: Scored and worked tirelessly.
• Gabriel Martinelli – 7/10: Created Saka’s goal and threatened consistently.

Substitutes

• Jakub Kiwior (Gabriel, 16’) – 6/10: Stepped in confidently but couldn’t prevent Fulham’s goal.
• Bukayo Saka (Nwaneri, 66’) – 7/10: Scored within minutes of his return, energizing the team.
• Leandro Trossard (Timber, 77’) – N/A: Came on late with limited impact.

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