Bukayo Saka back to his best at crucial time for Arsenal
When Saka cleverly curled past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to double Arsenal‘s lead, it was his first goal for nine games and the first time he had scored and assisted in a Premier League game since November 2024.
Arteta said “I think the pain is gone” – referring to Saka’s Achilles problem – and that it had been “restricting his capacity to deliver certain actions”.
But what was even more promising for Arsenal was that it looked like Saka and striker Viktor Gyokeres had finally clicked.
At times this season it looked like the pair were struggling to form a partnership.
Saka’s role has been tactically tweaked to help Gyokeres, who prefers to run behind the opposition defence rather than link play when building attacks.
Saka has been moving in different ways to make space in the box and has been doing more work outside the area, which has impacted the number of goals he has scored – but not the winger’s influence on games.
However, against Fulham the pair looked on the same wavelength as they assisted each other in the first half.
“I think it was very good on Saturday,” Gyokeres said when speaking before Arsenal play Atletico on Tuesday.
“I think when he is in that form and he is playing like he always is, it is of course amazing for me and all the other guys to have him on the pitch.”
Surprisingly, when Saka crossed for Gyokeres’ opener, it was the first assist he had provided for the Sweden striker in the Premier League.
It was also Saka’s first assist in the top flight since January when Arsenal beat Bournemouth.
Saka’s record for Arsenal is excellent, and he has been directly involved in 150 goals (80 goals, 70 assists) for Arsenal in 308 appearances.
His return to form could not come at a better time with a place in the Champions League final up for grabs against Diego Simeone’s side.
“That’s what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition,” Arteta said.
“Not only the players to be available but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference – and Bukayo certainly gives us that.”