Saka scores the winner on Arsenal return

Bukayo Saka stood with his arms outstretched and a wide grin on his face as he took in the acclaim of the Arsenal fans.

It was like he'd never been away.

The England winger marked his return after more than three months out injured by scoring what proved to be the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Fulham, as Arsenal trimmed the gap between it and Premier League leader Liverpool to nine points on Tuesday.

Saka entered the game as a substitute in the 66th minute to a huge ovation, following his long absence due to a serious hamstring injury he sustained playing against Crystal Palace in December.

Within seven minutes, he was being cheered again after nodding home Arsenal's second at Emirates Stadium.

"The reception speaks for itself," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said. "That's why he's one of the best wingers in the world, because he attacks the box and sniffs out the goal.

"With Bukayo back, it's a real boost."

Mikel Merino scored the 37th-minute opener for second-placed Arsenal, which requires an unlikely collapse by Liverpool if it is to capture a first league title since 2004.Liverpool hosts Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, after which there are eight rounds left in the Premier League.

Arsenal stayed four points clear of third-place Nottingham Forest, which beat Manchester United 1-0 thanks to a brilliant solo goal by Anthony Elanga — a former United player — to close in on a remarkable qualification for the Champions League.

Forest, which was battling relegation last season, is 10 points clear of sixth-placed Newcastle.

The top five are likely to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Fulham manager Marco Silva said his team had not been aggressive enough to win the game and push toward a European competition qualification place, although it did have a string of chances in the second half.

"What decided the game was that we conceded two soft goals," Silva said.

Injury woe

Saka, who has been sidelined since Dec 21, is back in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals starting next week.

But, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off with a right hamstring injury, throwing into doubt his availability for the crucial first-leg clash with the Spanish giant.

The Brazil centerback pulled up while running back toward his goal to defend a Fulham counterattack. When play eventually stopped, he dropped to the ground and shook his head in a signal that he needed to be replaced.

Gabriel eventually came off in the 16th minute, replaced by Jakub Kiwior.

"We are worried," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "Because he never wants to come off. He's not sure about how bad it is, and what it is exactly."

The first leg of the quarterfinal is at Emirates Stadium on April 8.

Asked if Gabriel was a doubt for that game, Arteta said: "Difficult, but let's see."

Arteta was already without injured defenders Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White, while the Arsenal manager said right-back Jurrien Timber was also struggling during the Fulham match with an issue he had on Monday, but "made a big effort to try and play".

"I hope he's OK, because he's been arguably our best player this season," Rice said.

"We need him for big matches and big occasions."

Agencies