**Arsenal:** Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Nwaneri, Merino
**Subs:** Neto, Gower, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Tierney, Jorginho, Sterling, Trossard, Saka
Arsenal cemented themselves in second place for another week after beating Fulham 2-1 at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka.
Mikel Arteta made just one change to the side that beat Chelsea before the international break, with Ethan Nwaneri replacing Leandro Trossard.
Bukayo Saka made his long-awaited return to the substitutes bench after more than 100 days out following hamstring surgery, although the 1 in, 1 out rule continued with Ben White missing (knock) alongside Riccardo Calafiori (knee).
Despite Fulham making a confident start, the first chance fell to Arsenal after Gabriel Martinelli breezed past Castagne out wide before crossing into the box, only for Thomas Partey to scuff wide from the edge of the area when he should have done better.
Unfortunately for the hosts, their joy at one hamstring recovery wouldn’t last long when they succumbed to another just 15 minutes into the first half: with Gabriel pulling up after sprinting back in transition.
It was a classic of the genre, grabbing the back of his leg immediately and was soon replaced by Jakub Kiwior. The Brazilian is now at risk of missing both ties against Real Madrid – not just one – in a huge blow to Arteta.
The Gunners continued to push despite the injury blow, and Nwaneri was the first player to test Bernd Leno after firing a well-struck volley towards goal after Martinelli beat Castagne again, although it was straight at the goalkeeper.
There was another injury concern for Arsenal shortly after when Jurrien Timber went down (holding his knee) after blocking a Raul Jimenez shot, but the defender was able to continue after some treatment from the physio.
With the hosts huffing and puffing their way to half time, they eventually broke the deadlock and it came through their emergency centre forward – Mikel Merino – once again.
It was the first time Arsenal were able to get Nwaneri in behind all half after a long spell of possession, and his cutback was finished by the Spaniard (via a heavy deflection) and beyond Leno into the far corner. [1-0](https://streamff.com/v/0675ccbf).
The game felt very “post interlull” up until then, lacking rhythm and care but that’s what happens when you shoot – bounces go your way sometimes.
Into the second half, there was a chance for Odegaard after Martinelli found yet more joy against Castagne but the captain blazed over from close range under pressure from Andersen.
Then it was a tale of two goalkeepers with Raya called into action to save well from Jimenez at the near post, before Leno took a Timber shot full-force into the stomach after being played through by Odegaard (and later required treatment).
It was a relentless start to the second half with yet more chances falling for Arsenal with Martinelli seeing another header saved at the back post, before Merino almost found himself on the scoresheet again but his goalbound volley was blocked by a combination of Fulham defenders.
Just as he did all night, Martinelli continued to get the better of Castagne and one piece of skill even left him on the ground to compound what was a miserable evening for him.
With 25 minutes to play, Arteta turned to his bench for inspiration and to the delight of 60,000 fans inside the Emirates, Saka was being readied before replacing Nwaneri who faded slightly in the second half.
His introduction was almost cheered as loudly (if not louder) than the Merino goal, with a goal likely to blow the roof off.
Thankfully for Arsenal, Arteta and those fans, it took Saka just seven minutes to start where he left off – with a goal that sparked wild celebrations.
It was brilliantly created after Martinelli drove past two defenders and found Merino out wide, before the Spaniard spotted Martinelli in the middle, who acrobatically flicked onto Saka at the back post for an easy header. [2-0](https://streamff.com/v/c6d1096c).
There was genuine delight on his face but him scoring may have been the most predictable thing to happen. Because of course he did. He’s the guy. Shout out to Martinelli as well for an inspired assist.
But amidst the Saka high, there were warning signs for the hosts who should have conceded when Iwobi broke away and found Muniz unmarked in the middle, but he somehow headed wide with only Kiwior to beat on the line.
Fulham did eventually get one back deep into injury time, when Muniz saw an effort find the corner (via a big deflection off Saliba) but the collective defending from Arsenal was poor leading up to the goal.
This game had somehow become nervy but despite some late pressure, Fulham ran out of time and Arteta’s men held out for all three points.
It was an important win for Arsenal who kept themselves in second place (ahead of an in-form Nottingham Forest) but more importantly, found some attacking verve upon the return of their talisman.
All eyes now move to Everton but in the mean time: Welcome back, Starboy.