Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described Bukayo Saka scoring on his return from three months out with a hamstring injury as a “beautiful moment”, Afrosport reports.
The 23-year-old came off the bench to score the second goal in the Gunners’ 2-1 win over London rivals Fulham.
Saka has been an integral part for Arsenal’s attacking play but his injury saw him miss 19 games in all competitions.
Arteta is now pleased that the academy graduate will be available for closing stages of the season.
“It was a beautiful reaction from our people to show him that love, respect and admiration and he fully deserves,” the Spaniard said.
“His reaction straight away after scoring was to say thank you to all the sports scientists, physios and everyone who has participated in his recovery. It tells you who he is as a person, so it’s impossible not to love him.
“He’s trained with us for the last nine days, and he’s been impressive straight away. The problem that we put for him was very demanding by respecting the timeframes because we knew that the moment that we throw him in, he needs to be ready because it’s the most important part of the season, so, I’m really pleased with that.”
10 – Bukayo Saka has now scored and assisted 10+ goals across all competitions in each of the last three seasons; the first Arsenal player to do so since Alexis Sánchez between 2014-15 and 2016-17. Back. pic.twitter.com/JVpYN4wrcS
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 1, 2025
Saka has now scored 10 competitive goals this season added to 14 assists in 25 games.
Arsenal have now closed the gap to leaders Liverpool, who face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night, to nine points.
The North London giants will prepare to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals first leg next Tuesday.
