They beat Fulham 2-1 to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool
\n LONDON
\nBukayo Saka marked his return from a lengthy injury absence with a goal as Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 on Tuesday to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to nine points.
\nSaka came off the bench to head in on his first appearance since December 21, after Mikel Merino\u2019s deflected effort had given Arsenal a first-half lead.
\nHowever, victory came at a cost as key defender Gabriel Magalhaes limped off injured.
\n\u201cIt was a good opportunity to see how much people love him and missed him,\u201d said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Saka\u2019s ovation before he even stepped foot back on the field.
\n\u201cThe reception he got was magnificent. He lifts the stadium and I am so happy for him because he fully deserves it.\u201d
\nRodrigo Muniz pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but defeat is a blow to Fulham\u2019s ambitions of European football next season.
\nThe Cottagers remain in eighth, three points outside a top-five finish that would almost certainly secure Champions League football next season.
\nJust one week away from the Gunners\u2019 Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Real Madrid, the sight of Gabriel pulling up with a hamstring problem added to Arteta\u2019s injury woes.
\nJurrien Timber was also forced off late with a knee injury.
\n\u201c(We are) worried because he never wants to come off and he had to,\u201d added Arteta. \u201cHe felt he could not continue.\u201d
\nEnter Saka
\nHowever, the return of Saka is a massive boost to Arsenal\u2019s faint hopes of chasing down Liverpool and a shot at becoming European champions for the first time.
\nArsenal\u2019s place in the top five is looking assured as they move 14 points clear of sixth-placed Newcastle.
\nArteta\u2019s men are on course to finish second for the third consecutive season given Liverpool\u2019s commanding lead.
\nBut the Spaniard showed no sign of having one eye on a blockbuster Champions League tie against the holders with his team selection.
\nGabriel would be a massive miss and the centre-back will now be a major doubt for that tie after pulling up inside the first 15 minutes.
\nArsenal never got going as an attacking threat in a first half short on clear-cut chances, but Merino maintained his impressive record as a makeshift striker due to season-ending injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
\nThe Spanish international now has five goals in eight games in his new role, but had fortune on his side to break the deadlock.
\nEthan Nwaneri was Arsenal\u2019s biggest threat in the first 45 minutes and his cross picked out Merino, who needed the benefit of a big deflection to see his shot loop into the far corner.
\nSaka\u2019s introduction was greeted with the biggest cheer of the night until that point at the Emirates Stadium when he replaced Nwaneri 25 minutes from time.
\nThe England international took just eight minutes to net his 10th goal of the season.
\nSaka was in the right place to head in from close range after Gabriel Martinelli flicked on Merino\u2019s cross.
\nMuniz should have set up a grandstand finish when he headed wide a glorious chance to pull a goal back for the visitors 10 minutes from time.
\nThe Brazilian made amends to net a consolation in stoppage time but it was too little, too late for Fulham as Arsenal maintained some pressure on Liverpool ahead of their Merseyside derby at home to Everton on Wednesday. AFP<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
They beat Fulham 2-1 to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool LONDON Bukayo Saka marked his return from a lengthy injury absence with a goal as Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 on Tuesday to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to nine points. Saka came off the bench to head in on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":470471,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-470444","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n