Saka Scores, Merino Shines as Arsenal Beat Fulham to Showcase Squad Depth

Saka Merino Arsenal Fulham win: Saka scores on injury return, Merino shines in midfield as Gunners edge past Fulham 2–1.

Arsenal beat Fulham 2–1 at the Emirates Stadium on April 1, 2025, with Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino leading the charge. Saka and Merino performance lit up headlines as Merino dominated midfield and Saka marked his injury return with a decisive goal—two moments that powered the Gunners past a determined Fulham side.

Arsenal dominated possession early and broke the deadlock in the 37th minute. Mikel Merino latched onto a clever cut-back from Ethan Nwaneri and fired a deflected shot past Bernd Leno. The goal marked Merino’s sixth in ten games, underlining his growing influence in midfield and delivering another standout performance for Arsenal.

Defensive Setback and Response

The Gunners faced adversity when Gabriel Magalhães limped off with a hamstring injury just 15 minutes into the match. Jakob Kiwior stepped in and anchored the backline with composure, helping Arsenal maintain their lead heading into halftime. His performance was crucial in this Premier League Arsenal Fulham clash.

The second half saw the long-awaited return of Bukayo Saka, who came off the bench in the 66th minute after a three-month injury layoff. Just eight minutes later, Saka connected with Gabriel Martinelli’s flick and headed home Arsenal’s second goal. His impact was immediate and electrifying, making his injury return one of the defining moments of the match.

Fulham’s Late Response

Fulham refused to go quietly. In stoppage time, Rodrigo Muniz capitalized on a deflection to score a consolation goal, cutting Arsenal’s lead in half. Despite the late pressure, Arsenal’s defense held firm to secure all three points.

The Saka Merino Arsenal Fulham performance sends a strong message. Arsenal continues to climb the Premier League table and builds momentum ahead of their Champions League quarter-final. With Saka back and Merino thriving, the Gunners look well-equipped for the challenges ahead.

Fulham, meanwhile, showed grit and ambition, reinforcing their push for a top-six finish.

All links on ArsenalTalks Shop are affiliate links. We may earn commissions that support our content—at no extra cost to you. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure for more information.