After waiting 101 days to play a match of competitive football again, it took Bukayo Saka only seven minutes of action to make a decisive mark. This is what big players do, seizing the moment when all eyes are on them, and at Arsenal there is no player bigger than the academy graduate who has become a world-class attacker.
In the eyes of Arsenal’s supporters, there is not a footballing star who can shine as brightly as the England winger. The love for him in north London is so extreme that his arrival as a second-half substitute against Fulham prompted an even louder cheer than Arsenal’s first goal of the night. Goals are great but, to many at Arsenal, Saka is even greater.
“A beautiful moment, to see how much our people love, respect and admire Bukayo,” Mikel Arteta, the manager, said. “He lifted the stadium and the energy. It’s great to have him back.”
It was far from the finest effort of Saka’s career – a simple header, into an open net – but it must rank highly among his most enjoyable moments. His first serious injury was a horrible one, forcing him into hamstring surgery and ruling him out since December, and this looked like a goal that cleansed all the frustration of the past few months.
On top of Saka’s intervention, there was more good news for Arsenal’s attack as makeshift striker Mikel Merino scored his fifth goal in his last eight matches. And yet, as always seems to be the case with Arsenal this season, there was a problem for Arteta.
Just as one key player returned to action, another one left it: Gabriel Magalhaes, their powerful centre-back, limped out of the first half with what appeared to be a serious hamstring problem. His participation against Real Madrid, in the forthcoming Champions League quarter-final, is now in serious doubt.
The sight of Gabriel falling to the ground prompted groans of concern to echo around north London. The supporters here have grown to love their burly centre-back and they know how important he has become to this team and a formidable back line. Even with Saka back in the team, Gabriel’s partnership with William Saliba probably represents Arsenal’s best hope of defeating Real.
The first leg takes place next week. To see Gabriel walk down the tunnel, anguish etched all over his face, was to see a man who probably knows that his dream of facing the giants of European football is over. “I hope he is OK,” said Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice. “He has been arguably our best player this season. We need him for big occasions.”
It was a gruelling scene and, sadly for Arsenal, it was not the only fitness concern. Full-back Jurrien Timber also picked up a knock, while Ben White was missing with a knee problem. Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is also absent, dealing with a knee issue of his own.
Gabriel’s hamstring problem is just the latest such injury to hit Arsenal. Saka’s absence was brutal for the club, and the same can be said for Kai Havertz’s ...
