Bukayo Saka made his injury return after 101 days in the sideline, and marked it with a decisive winning goal as Arsenal won back-to-back Premier League home games for the first time since the victory over Tottenham Hotspur in January.
Despite the standard he has set and his consistency since his breakthrough, it was not unanimously agreed that he is the club’s best player, with the fans voting him out of the top three in their most recent player of the season awards. But in his absence, they realized how wrong they were, and upon his return, he restored their smiles again.
The 23-year-old had a disappointing end to his 250th game anniversary for the club, playing just the opening quarter before going down with a hamstring injury, which would keep him out of action for more than three months.
While away, Arsenal struggled without their star man and hence their season crumbled. Their four games unbeaten run against Manchester United came to an end in a penalty shootout at the Emirates, ending their Emirates FA Cup campaign prematurely.
They also fell 12 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race, as the Mohamed Salah inspired Arne Slot charge close in on the title ahead of the kickoff of the run-in.
The UEFA Champions League remains their only hope for a silverware this season. After seeing off Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in a historic tie, they face complications in the quarter-finals, as defending champions and record winners, Real Madrid awaits them.
The Return of Arsenal’s Best, Bukayo Saka
It was a perfect night to make a return after such a long time out. The Emirates was already buzzing after taking a 1-0 lead thanks to a Mikel Merino’s first-half strike.
The makeshift striker became the club’s joint second top scorer in the league this season, overtaking Bukayo Saka and moving level with Gabriel Martinelli, with only Kai Havertz the only player with more, nine.
Saka was introduced just after the hour mark, replacing Ethan Nwaneri, who set up the opening goal, becoming the second youngest player to reach ten goal involvement across all competitions for a top five team this season, behind Lamine Yamal.
Less than seven minutes, the Hale Ender was celebrating a goal, after heading home a Gabriel Martinelli flick at the back post to double the Gunners’ advantage.
The over 60,000 fans who have made the trip to the stadium to watch their star return to action were not disappointed. Saka celebrated the goal with his teammates and fans, reminding them of what they’ve been missing.
He also shared his happy moment with the club’s sports scientists and physiotherapists for what they did for him while in rehab. As Mikel Arteta mentioned at full time; “he lifted the stadium and the energy.”
With a goal that sealed all three points for the host, only Mikel Merino, nine, and Kai Havertz, four, have won Arsenal more Premier League points than Bukayo Saka since his injury in December, further underlining his importance to the team.
Bukayo Saka also joined Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes as the only three Premier League players to register 10+ goals and 10+ assists across all competitions in each of the last three seasons.
It was all love again between Bukayo Saka and Arsenal. Both parties will hope he shows no slowing down signs as they approach their final games of the season, with important Champions League quarter-final doubleheader coming up against Real Madrid.
Losing Gabriel Magalhaes was a huge blow on the night, and even though Bukayo Saka’s return brushed away any foul feelings at full time, they are bound to return when the celebration fever is calmed. Afterall, he is their best player.
Arsenal in the meantime reduced the gap on leaders Liverpool to nine points, before the latter faces off against their neighbors in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday evening in Anfield.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
2 Comments
The End Of The Season Charge Is On
See me giggling yesterday upon his substitution
Our best player is back
Madrid be scared