Bukayo Saka scores winner as Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1

Saka returns from injury to secure crucial victory for Arsenal.

Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates Stadium on April 1, 2025, in London, England. Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Bukayo Saka made a triumphant return from injury, scoring the decisive goal in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Fulham in a Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday morning WIB. The win helped the Gunners close the gap to leaders Liverpool, keeping their title hopes alive.

According to the official Premier League website, Arsenal now have 61 points, nine behind Liverpool at the top of the table. Fulham, meanwhile, remain in eighth place with 45 points.

Arsenal dominate but struggle to break Fulham’s defense

Mikel Arteta’s side controlled possession in the first half but found it difficult to create clear scoring opportunities. Fulham’s disciplined defense limited Arsenal’s attacking movements, forcing the home side to rely on patience and precision.

The breakthrough finally came in the 37th minute when Ethan Nwaneri delivered a well-placed cross into the box. Mikel Merino connected with a shot that took a crucial deflection, leaving the Fulham goalkeeper helpless as the ball found the back of the net.

It was Merino’s fifth goal in eight games, underlining his growing importance to Arsenal’s attack, especially with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined due to injuries.

Saka returns with an instant impact

Arsenal’s advantage remained narrow, and Arteta made a key tactical decision in the 66th minute, introducing Bukayo Saka in place of Nwaneri. The England international, returning after a brief injury layoff, was greeted with a loud ovation from the Emirates crowd.

Saka wasted no time making an impact. Just eight minutes after coming on, he found himself in the perfect position to tap home a close-range finish after Gabriel Martinelli latched onto Merino’s cross and played the ball across the goal. The strike marked Saka’s 10th goal of the season, further cementing his role as a game-changer for Arsenal.

Fulham fight back but fall short

Despite trailing by two goals, Fulham refused to back down. The visitors had a golden chance to pull one back in the 80th minute when Rodrigo Muniz found himself unmarked in the box, but his header went wide of the target.

The Brazilian striker eventually redeemed himself in stoppage time, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to score Fulham’s only goal of the match in the 94th minute. However, it was too little, too late, as Arsenal held on to secure the three points.

Arsenal’s title hopes remain alive

With the win, Arsenal maintained their position as Liverpool’s closest challengers in the Premier League title race. While the nine-point gap remains a significant hurdle, performances like this show the Gunners’ resilience as they push for a strong finish to the season.

Mikel Arteta will be pleased with his team’s display, especially Saka’s immediate impact. The winger’s return could be a crucial factor as Arsenal look to keep their title ambitions alive in the closing stages of the campaign.