Bukayo Saka marked his return from injury with a crucial goal as Arsenal secured a 2-1 win over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in a hard-fought Premier League clash.

The win, however, was marred by a worrying injury to Gabriel Magalhães, Arsenal’s key defender, who was forced off during the match, leaving fans anxious about his availability for their upcoming high-profile match against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Magalhães' injury concerns come at a time when Arsenal is looking to strengthen its defense against top-tier opposition.

Mikel Arteta’s side started the match with energy and dominance, creating several chances, but they encountered stiff resistance from a well-organized Fulham defense, which made it difficult for Arsenal to break through in the early stages. Despite controlling much of the possession, Arsenal struggled to get past Fulham’s defensive lines, with goalkeeper Bernd Leno pulling off some key saves to keep the match goalless.

The breakthrough came late in the first half when Arsenal’s young talent, Ethan Nwaneri, showed maturity beyond his years as he set up Mikel Merino with a well-weighted pass. Merino’s shot, which took a deflection off Fulham’s defense, managed to sneak past Leno, giving Arsenal a 1-0 lead and marking Merino’s sixth league goal of the season.

In the second half, Gabriel Martinelli continued to be a constant threat, stretching Fulham’s defense with his pace and skill. However, it was the return of Bukayo Saka who sealed the victory for Arsenal just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute. The goal came from a well-executed play where Merino lofted a ball into the box, which was flicked on by Martinelli. Saka, ever the clinical finisher, latched onto the ball and buried it into the net to give Arsenal a 2-0 lead.

Fulham did not give up, though, and had a late opportunity to set up a tense finale when Adama Traoré delivered a precise cross to find Rodrigo Muniz, who was unmarked inside the box. Muniz shockingly missed the chance, but later redeemed himself when his strike deflected off Arsenal’s defense and past goalkeeper David Raya to pull one back for Fulham, making it 2-1.

Despite Fulham’s late rally, Arsenal held on to secure all three points, moving forward with confidence as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures. The win also helps Arsenal maintain their strong position in the Premier League, keeping them in the hunt for the top spots. However, the injury to Gabriel Magalhães will be a major concern for Arteta and his squad as they look to balance domestic and European commitments in the weeks ahead.