Saka sparks Arsenal attack into life ahead of Atletico showdown
TL;DR
Bukayo Saka's return from injury revitalized Arsenal's attack, leading to a 3-0 victory over Fulham. He scored and assisted in the match, crucial for Arsenal's upcoming Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.
Key points
- Bukayo Saka scored and assisted in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Fulham
- Saka's return comes just before a crucial Champions League match against Atletico Madrid
- Arsenal is aiming for their second Champions League final in history
- Saka has been recovering from an achilles injury
- Robert Pires believes Saka can inspire his teammates
Mentioned in this story
- Difference maker - Saka's quick feet and deadly delivery left Gyokeres with the simple task of tapping into an empty net to settle the Premier League leaders' nerves early on against Fulham. The roles were reversed for the second as Saka latched onto the Swede's pass and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner for his 10th goal of an injury-disrupted campaign. "He certainly made a difference. He made two actions that decided the game and we know what he's capable of," said Arteta. "He's come back in the most important period of the season and now he's fresh. "His mind is fresh, his hunger is at the highest possible height and I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team, so that's a big platform for Tuesday." Robert Pires was part of the only previous Arsenal side to reach the Champions League final, a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in 2006. The Frenchman's wing play made him a legendary figure in north London for his part in two Premier League titles under Arsene Wenger and he believes Saka can have an inspirational impact on his team-mates. "He's found his sharpness again, he's brought back his dribbling, his drive," Pires told AFP. "When you have players like him, capable of making the difference, it already does everyone a lot of good. "Above all, he pulls the others along, getting them to do, or at least try to do, what he does." Arsenal's miserly defence, which has conceded just six goals in 13 Champions League games, has carried them to the brink of the final. Now the onus is on Saka, nicknamed "star-boy" by the club's supporters, to provide the creative spark to take Arsenal to Budapest next month. kca/smg/pb
Q&A
How did Bukayo Saka perform against Fulham?
Bukayo Saka scored one goal and provided an assist in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Fulham.
What is the significance of Arsenal's match against Atletico Madrid?
The match against Atletico Madrid is crucial as it is tied 1-1, and Arsenal aims to reach only their second Champions League final.
What injury has Bukayo Saka been dealing with?
Bukayo Saka has been nursing an achilles injury, which affected his performance earlier in the season.
What impact did Saka's return have on Arsenal's performance?
Saka's return sparked Arsenal's attack, helping them score three goals for the first time in 16 games and boosting team morale ahead of the Champions League match.
