Premier League

ANNE HATHAWAY shared the delight of her fellow Arsenal fans after Bukayo Saka’s goalscoring return from injury.The winger made his long-awaited comeback from hamstring surgery in last night’s 2-1 win over Fulham.Anne Hathaway posted a snap of her in an Arsenal kit after victory over FulhamCredit: Instagram @annehathawayBukayo Saka was back amongst the goals on his return from injuryCredit: GettyThe Arsenal star celebrated his goal with those who have helped him recover from injuryCredit: GettySaka came on soon after the hour mark and it took him just seven minutes to find the back of the net, heading in from close range at the back post.It was a dream return for 23-year-old, who sprinted over to the dugout to celebrate with the Arsenal medical team.And they were not the only ones thrilled to see Saka back amongst the goals – with Hollywood megastar Hathaway equally glad.She took to Instagram after the game and posted a snap of herself in an Arsenal away kit.READ MORE ON ARSENALHathaway captioned the post “Welcome back #7” in reference to Saka.Her love for Arsenal first came to light after she celebrated a Leandro Trossard goal during an interview promoting movie “The Idea of You” alongside co-star Nicholas Galitzine last year.The Belgian then reached out to say he was aware of the video, with a star-struck Hathaway reacting: “Are you kidding? I’m shaking.”Galitzine later revealed: “Anne Hathaway is a massive Arsenal supporter. I’m in a group chat with her family, who are all Arsenal supporters. [They’re] obsessed.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe actress was not the only person joyed by Saka’s return, with Mikel Arteta saying: “I think it’s a beautiful moment to see how much our people love, respect and admire Bukayo.“He’s not a surprise to any of us and I think the best example is his reaction. Immediately after scoring a goal, what does he do?Arsenal star Leandro Trossard leaves Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway ‘shaking’ with excitement after live TV message“He goes and says thank you for all the hard work that all the sports science guys, physios and everybody involved in the recovery have done for him to be in the condition that he is.“I think he lifted the stadium, the energy and it’s great to have him back.”On his celebration, Arteta added: “We all love this kind of recognition and gestures because it goes beyond the professional side of it. “There is a connection there that is so necessary and to be able to appreciate as well the amount of work, stress and responsibility that they have to go through because they will be like this.“I hope everything goes well and the work that we’ve done is going to work. So I was very pleased with that.”Anne Hathaway is a huge Arsenal supporterCredit: GettyArsenal ratings v FulhamARSENAL had a night of mixed fortunes as they beat Fulham 2-1 at the Emirates.Bukayo Saka not only returned but also scored after 101 days out.But injuries to Gabriel and Jurrien Timber ahead of next week’s visit of Real Madrid took the gloss off the win.Here’s How SunSport’s Josh Hall rated Mikel Arteta’s men on the night.DAVID RAYA – 7Week by week Raya is staking a claim as one of the best goalkeepers in the league.He doesn’t have to face a barrage of shots as part of this Arsenal team, but rarely falters when he is called upon.His distribution and preventative high claims are also among the best around.There was little he could have done to stop Rodrigo Muniz’s deflected goal.JURRIEN TIMBER – 6It looked like the Dutchman’s night was going to be cut short around the half an hour mark when he went down clutching his knee.Fortunately, he was able to play on and even managed to test Bend Leno with a stinging effort in the second half.Unfortunately his earlier knock proved too much and he was taken off with a niggle in the 75th minute.Arsenal could now be without at least two starting defenders for their clash with Real Madrid.GABRIEL – N/AJust when Arsenal fans thought they were creeping out of their injury crisis with the return of Bukayo Saka, they lose another top star.Gabriel hobbled off after just 15 minutes to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior.Arteta – and every Arsenal fan up and down the country – will be hoping the wall at the back will be fighting fit for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid next week.WILLIAM SALIBA – 6Stepped up to the plate in Gabriel’s absence and looked assured both on and off the ball.His frame did wonders to prevent Raul Jimenez from fashioning any chances in dangerous areas.However, he wasn’t able to do enough to stop Rodrigo Muniz from batting it against him to pull a late goal back for Fulham.MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7Every time you see Lewis-Skelly play you wonder how he’s only 18 and not a seasoned pro with years of experience at the top.He didn’t set the world alight against the Cottagers, but looked just as assured and comfortable as he always does – this time without Gabriel by his side.While he also made an important bloke to prevent Muniz after Fulham had pulled back a late goal.Mikel Arteta has splashed the cash to have a plethora of options at left-back, yet it seems like the Hale End academy graduate is now the number one choice for that position.THOMAS PARTEY – 7Almost gifted Fulham a golden opportunity with a loose header in the first half, but saw David Raya pop up to save the day.Despite a few loose touches he did enough to keep the ball moving in central areas.He’s become an important starter for Arsenal this season, yet still seems to be on his way out in the summer on the expiration of his deal.DECLAN RICE – 6He’s not a glamorous footballer, but he’s always going to give 100 per cent no matter what.Certainly not his worst game in an Arsenal shirt, but by no means his best.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 5Another frustrating night for the Arsenal captain who seems to have been unable to find the keys to unlock the low block his side faces each week.The Norwegian is certainly one of the best talents in the league, but has only shown it in glimpses this season.Arsenal as a whole looked a bit laboured and lacklustre at times, often that’s a result of the way Odegaard is playing. When he ticks, the whole team does too.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 9Regularly made Timothy Castagne look silly throughout the match and get into dangerous positions by the byline.But despite fashioning plenty of opportunities, the Brazilian was – as per usual – struggling with his end product in the first half.It almost seemed as if every shot or final pass was rushed or snatched at for the opening 45 minutes.That changed in the second half when his delightful flick perfectly teed up Bukayo Saka for a dream return to action.Finally looked like he had the goal to top off a spectacular performance in the dying moments, but was deemed to be marginally offside when his effort found the back of the net.ETHAN NWANERI – 7Bright spark in the opening exchanges and volleyed one right down the throat of Bernd Leno in the 21st minute as he looked the most likely to find the back of the net at first.Instead it was his cutback that helped open the scoring when he placed it on to the boot of Mikel Merino to poke home the first goal of the night.Replaced by Saka in the second half in perhaps a foreshadowing of what might happen to his role in the squad for the remainder of the season.MIKEL MERINO – 8Merino has stepped up the role of of make-shift striker with the sort of professionalism you would want from any player in your team.He might not make darting runs behind the back four, or curl delightful efforts round the keeper, but he’s certainly got a knack for goal.His punt towards goal took a healthy deflection off Jorge Cuenca to send it into the corner, but he won’t care – now netting an impressive five goals in eight games as a centre-forward.He almost made that six when he rifled another effort goalward from a corner in the 60th minute.SUBS: JAKUB KIWIOR – 4 (ON FOR GARBRIEL 15mins)Always a tough task to replace one of the best defenders in the league, but didn’t do enough to impress at all.Sloppily gave the ball away to gift a golden opportunity to Adama Traore in the second half, but was lucky to see the shot blazed wide.He was partly to blame for leaving Rodrigo Muniz wide open for his wayward header on the 80th minute mark – once again saved by sloppy finishing.With each game that passes it seems to be more obvious that the Polish international just isn’t at the required level.BUKAYO SAKA – 8 (ON FOR NWANERI 66mins)The Emirates erupted in its loudest cheer of the night when Saka made his return to action after 21 games and 101 days on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.That was until he nodded home the Gunners’ second just six minutes after crossing the line and an even louder roar bellowed around N5.Arsenal have missed him dearly, and a return right before perhaps the biggest European game in the Emirates era could be crucial for Mikel Arteta’s side.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5 (ON FOR TIMBER 77mins)Had very little impact on the match coming on so late, but did nick the ball off the foot of captain Odegaard who was lining up a thunderous effort. 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ANGE POSTECOGLOU admitted a large number of Spurs fans have lost faith in him — and confessed he would start the season differently if he could.Tottenham are languishing in the bottom half of the table, lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and went out of the FA Cup after a fourth-round defeat to Aston Villa.Ange Postecoglou admitted poor form has led to fans no longer believing in himCredit: GettyTheir wretched, injury-hit campaign could still end gloriously, though, if they can win the Europa League, with a quarter-final first leg at home to Eintracht Frankfurt next Thursday.But boss Ange knows he no longer retains the full backing of many disillusioned supporters, despite the promise of his debut campaign last year.The 59-year-old said: “There’s no doubt there’s probably a large portion of Tottenham fans who have lost a bit of faith and belief in what we’re doing.“They were encouraged by what they saw last year but that certainly hasn’t manifested itself this year.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I still am really optimistic and bullish about the squad we’ve got. I think there will be enormous growth in them once we can navigate through this.“Surviving tough times can be such a strong uniter of people.”Postecoglou has had a crippling injury list to deal with, with a whole host of players suffering from muscle issues.And in an interview for Optus Sport, the Aussie told compatriot and former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer that he wished he had not worked his players so hard at the start season.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe former Celtic chief explained: “We probably got the start of the year wrong. It’s becoming increasingly challenging for footballers these days, they don’t get the traditional break.“We went into the season really hard and we probably underestimated the challenges of Europe this year with the two extra games and us having a deep cup run.Fuming Ange Postecoglou covers face with hands as he loses it over reporter’s question after Tottenham’s FA Cup KO“You add to the mix that we lost some key players early on and it feels like we’ve been chasing our tails since then. We haven’t been able to get ahead of the challenge we’ve had.“Every time we try to get some steady ground, something else happens that shifts and a lot of that goes back to the start of the year.“We maybe would have taken a different approach knowing the season we had ahead.“I’ve been trying to mend things as we go along.“Probably in hindsight, with some better planning at the start of the year, I would have gone for a bit of a softer start to the season in terms of the way we tackled things.”Spurs travel across London to rivals Chelsea tomorrow, host basement boys Southampton on Sunday and then have their first leg at home to Frankfurt four days later.Read More on The SunPostecoglou added: “The Europa League is a massive opportunity. We’re one of eight clubs [still in it].“If you can go through what we’ve been through this year and come out the other side of it and have success, it’s a great builder for the future.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED’S woes continue after another disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest.Forest picked up a 1-0 victory at the City Ground thanks to ex-United ace Anthony Elanga’s winner after just five minutes.Manchester United suffered another loss to Nottingham ForestCredit: GettyUnited remain 13th in the Premier League table and look set for their worst ever Premier League finish.That is at least what their performance at Forest showed, as Ruben Amorim’s men don’t show signs of really understanding the Portuguese tactician’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.But who stood out for a poor United’s side? And who was the biggest disappointment?Check out Kostas Lianos’ players ratings below and find out…Read More on Man UtdAndre Onana – 5Can’t blame him for Nottingham Forest’s winner as Anthony Elanga’s shot was too good. Made a stunning save to deny Ryan Yates’ header without knowing the Forest ace was offside.Leny Yoro – 5Should have been more aware before Elanga’s goal that came straight after a Man Utd corner-kick in which he had moved forward. One could argue Yoro made up for it when he stopped a fine run by Elanga in the second half with an amazing and well-timed challenge to save United from a second.Matthijs de Ligt – 4The centre-back was also nowhere to be seen before Elanga’s goal. No other major errors but should have done better on the rebound after Diogo Dalot’s header hit the crossbar.Most read in FootballNoussair Mazraoui – 4Completely hopeless during Elanga’s run that led to the goal and struggled in his defensive duties, especially in the first half. Not sure if the full-back fits in a defensive trio as part of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation…Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordDiogo Dalot – 6A strong performance down the right wing with some fine runs and good crosses. Registered United’s best chance in the first half when his header rattled Forest’s crossbar.Casemiro – 4At fault for Elanga’s goal as there was absolutely no midfield presence during Forest’s counter. Loads of inaccurate passes and got booked for a reckless challenge on Yates before complaining in a very unjust way. Registered three shots but didn’t cause concern for Matz Sels.Manuel Ugarte – 4Cut a rather anonymous figure, among the guilty parties for Elanga’s goal as Man Utd’s midfield was caught sleeping. Rightly substituted at half-time.Patrick Dorgu – 5A fine display during the first half as he cut a strong presence down the left flank, even though he was completely outrun by Elanga before the goal.But the versatile full-back was the complete opposite in the second half with a series of errors against a stunning Neco Williams.Bruno Fernandes – 6Registered the game’s first shot on target with a powerful effort that required a lunge from Sels, and that was basically United’s best shot throughout the entire match. Fernandes produced some fine long balls and upgraded Man Utd’s midfield after Ugarte and Casemiro’s exits.Man Utd ace Bruno Fernandes was the best of the worstCredit: ReutersAlejandro Garnacho – 2Very disappointing performance from the winger. Completely hopeless before Elanga’s goal with a desperate tackle and was lucky to avoid a booking for a ridiculous challenge on Yates while the Argentina international was on the attack.A game riddled with heavy touches, failed dribbles, wrong passes, blocked shots and a silly yellow card as he kicked the ball away in frustration. Had a good shot on 69 minutes as a saving grace.Alejandro Garnacho didn’t offer enough down the flanksCredit: AlamyJoshua Zirkzee – 3Was supposed to be a striker but was often seen playing too deep and didn’t register a chance in front of Forest’s goal. Didn’t inspire any danger even after Rasmus Hojlund came on to help him up front.Joshua Zirkzee had no presence in Man Utd’s attackCredit: RexSUBSRasmus Hojlund – 5Was much better than a woeful Zirkzee up front for Man Utd. But didn’t cause any significant danger and never looked like a goalscoring threat. Harry Maguire looked far more lethal as a false nine after he entered the pitch with a lot more presence inside the box.Read More on The SunChristian Eriksen – 4Didn’t really elevate United’s midfield after Ugarte and Casemiro’s exit. The sort of performance that makes one wonder about his Old Trafford future…Harry Maguire – 5Only played nine minutes as a false nine and was by far Man Utd’s best forward. Brought on as a desperation move that almost paid off with the best chance of the match as his last-gasp effort was cleared by Murillo just off the line.Mason Mount – N/A More

JORGEN Strand Larsen provided the Norse power Wolves needed to take another step towards Premier League safety.The Norwegian striker grabbed his 10th goal of the season after 21 minutes to seal victory.Jorgen Strand Larsen fires his side into the leadCredit: GettyThe Wolves forward celebrates putting Wolves in frontCredit: PAAnd that spells bad news for the bottom three who are now stranded at the bottom of the table.Wolves are now a massive 12 points clear of the relegation zone – and look all but safe from the drop.It means boss Vitor Pereira now has 20 points from his 14 games in charge.And if his pre-match comments are anything to go by, he will be toasting three points with three beers.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPereira has been seen around Wolverhampton pubs with fans – but he will not have to buy a drink if he keeps Wolves up.By the end, Pereira was punching the air and whipping up the home fans.But West Ham wasted a string of chances to come away from Molineux with at least a point.Evan Ferguson, Jarrod Bowen, Emerson Palmieri and Tomas Soucek all wasted clear cut openings.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKEvan Ferguson squandered a golden chanceFerguson is yet to score for the HammersCredit: ReutersWest Ham started the brighter and James Ward-Prowse went close with a dipping free-kick from 25 yards out.But they wasted a clear opportunity to take the lead after 13 minutes.Roy Keane names toughest ever opponent and favourite stadium and coach in Q&AToti’s attempted clearance was blocked by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the ball fell into the path of Bowen.He raced into the Wolves box – but instead of taking the shot on himself, he pulled it back for Ferguson, making his first start for Graham Potter on loan from Brighton.The Ireland international’s first Hammers goal looked certain – but the ball fell behind him and he could only drag it towards goal and into Matt Doherty’s path.That was the wake-up call Wolves needed and a Rayan Ait-Nouri free-kick was headed on by Toti – but he was denied by a full-stretch save from keeper Alphonse Areola.But Wolves opened the scoring through Strand Larsen.Emmanuel Agbadou’s pass set up the chance, and when the ball fell to Strand Larsen, his shot deflected in off ex-Wolves captain Max Kilman.That was the Norwegian forward’s third goal in two games – and provided a huge platform for Wolves’ hopes of staying up.Wolves could have made it two – but Marshall Munetsi crashed a shot against the underside of the crossbar.It was end to end stuff and Wan-Bissaka’s cross found Bowen in space – but he put a free header wide.The game started to flare up – a theme that ran through the rest of the match.Ref Tony Harrington flashed three yellow cards in a short space of time – but failed some physical treatment that left Joao Gomes in agony on the touchline.It all contributed to the Wolves bench losing their cool – and boss Pereira was booked for dissent as the teams left the field.Potter made three changes at the break with Ferguson, Aaron Cresswell and Luis Guilherme all taken off.Niclas Fullkrug, Edson Alvarez and Carlos Soler replaced them.But Hammers were frustrated for long periods and Wolves’ Jean Bellegarde curled a shot just wide from 20 yards out.Things were boiling up on the bench by this stage and Wolves No2 was booked after an angry exchange with West Ham’s coaching staff.But Potter’s side almost levelled it after 78 minutes when Fullkrug headed against the bar and Emerson fired the rebound into the side netting.Read More on The SunAnd West Ham squandered yet another chance to equalise with two minutes left.Toti was again caught in possession and the ball fell to sub Soucek – but he put his shot wide from close range.Wolves stars were buzzing at the sound of the final whistleCredit: GettyVitor Pereira has virtually guided Wolves to safetyCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED old boy Anthony Elanga zapped his former employers with a lightning goal and edged Forest a step closer to the Champions League.United boss Ruben Amorim noted before the game how Old Trafford exiles Marcus Rashford and Antony were currently thriving on loan.Anthony Elanga refused to celebrate after scoring the winner against old side Man UtdCredit: GettyThe Red Devils crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham ForestCredit: RexMurillo made an incredible last-second clearance off the line to ensure the resultCredit: ReutersNuno Espirito Santo’s side remain on course for Champions League footballCredit: ReutersBut it was another former Red Devils wideman who scored the early, only goal in a game in which the visitors did everything but score.TNT Sports claimed Elanga, who joined Forest in the summer of 2023, had run 85 metres in nine seconds before slotting past Andre Onana in the fifth minute.If that is true, perhaps he is in the wrong sport.“Anthony Elanga, he left ‘cos you’re s**t,” was the gleeful song from the home fans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut United weren’t s**t. They were the better side for most of the rest of the game, creating far more chances and keeping the home fans sweating right until the final whistle.Diogo Dalot hit the crossbar in the first half, while Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount both went close in the second.Yet Elanga’s strike proved enough to earn Nuno Espirito Santo’s side the victory and so to complete their first league double over United since 1991-92 under Brian Clough.Now Forest need only a few more wins to guarantee that they will be competing for the Big Ears trophy that Old Big ‘Ead lifted twice.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordMeanwhile, United are heading for their own 1970’s throwback – their worst league finish since they were relegated 31 seasons ago.As kick off approached, the Forest fans launched into a couple of quick bursts of Que Sera in celebration of the penalty shootout win over Brighton that had earned them a trip to Wembley for an FA Cup semi final.Ex-Man Utd star Memphis Depay sparks mass brawl with cheeky trick as four red cards are handed out in derby clash This game was all about securing a passport to Europe, and preferably into the top-tier competition that they won twice in the good old days.And they scored a trademark goal inside five minutes to make the perfect start.Cup hero goalkeeper Matz Sels’ save from Bruno Fernandes’ 20-yard shot from outside the box was a little untidy.But Forest’s break from the resulting corner was laser-guided brilliance.Elanga needed just five minutes to open the scoringCredit: RexHe ran the length of the pitch before firing homeCredit: GettyHow United found themselves, after their own corner, three against two home attackers is one thing.The way that situation became two against two was all about Elanga’s lightning speed and Morgan Gibbs-White’s lung-busting run alongside him.You wondered if Gibbs-White was going to end up cursing his team-mate for not passing.Yet the former United trainee used the decoy to perfection and slotted past Onana while Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu could only look on helplessly.Murillo’s clearance was as good as a goal for ForestCredit: PAFans and players are now dreaming of European football next seasonCredit: GettyWith pleasing symmetry, it was the 23rd time Forest had scored first in a Premier League game this season and the 23rd in which United had conceded first.Yet United were soon creating chances, albeit mainly from distance or corners.The visitors, in the Forest supporters’ eyes, were also playing against referee Jarred Gillett, who was not awarding the free kicks that they felt their team deserved.Garnacho somehow avoided a booking for a nasty foul on Ryan Yates.Diogo Dalot hit the crossbar after another dangerous corner, and Sels was grateful that Gillett did spot a foul in the scramble that followed.It was a dismal result for Ruben AmorimCredit: RexUnited could not find a way throughCredit: PAForest failed to make the most of another couple of breaks and were otherwise pretty unthreatening going forward.They suffered further discomfort when right-back Ola Aina went off injured and Nuno made a double change to bring on a third centre back in a bid to stem the United tide.The half ended with Onana catching a Morato header and Nikola Milenkovic making a crucial tackle on Garnacho before Casemiro fired wide.Amorim replaced Manuel Ugarte with Rasmus Hojlund at half time and restored Fernandes to the deeper midfield role where he’d excelled in recent matches.Onana had been cheekily described in the matchday programme as “capable of both the sublime and the ridiculous”. The save he made low to his left early in the second period from Yates’ header was the former.The Red Devils will have to regroup for Sunday’s derbyCredit: ReutersUnited were decent but could not take any of their chancesCredit: GettyGarnacho fired over the bar before Amorim saved Casemiro from himself, having seen the Brazilian booked for one foul on Yates and generally look like a red card waiting to happen.Fernandes was starting to ping passes from deep. When Garnacho was ruled offside from one, he was booked for kicking the ball away.From the next, the Argentine collected neatly and turned inside, only for Yates and Morato to deflect the ball to safety. Yates reacted as if he had scored.Garnacho then fired just wide and the game was right in the balance.Next it was substitute Mount’s turn to hold his head in his hands after he, too, sent a shot just off target.Read More on The SunNeco Williams ended a rare Forest attack by shooting off target just before six minutes of stoppage time. Harry Maguire, on as as centre forward, had a shot cleared off the line by Murillo at the death and United could not find the equaliser they deserved. More

MIKEL ARTETA just cannot catch a break as Bukayo Saka’s comeback celebrations were spoiled by yet another crushing injury blow.Twenty games and 101 days after his last Arsenal appearance, Saka strutted on in the 66th minute to a standing ovation and rapturous applause.Saka showed his class in celebrating his goal on his return to the teamCredit: GettyBukayo Saka scored on his return to the team following a 101-day lay-offCredit: GettyGabriel’s injury took the shine off an otherwise superb night for ArsenalCredit: GettySeven minutes later, the Emirates were deliriously on their feet once more as the Gunners’ saviour scored a match-winning header to finally see off Fulham after Mikel Merino’s first half opener and a late consolation from Rodrigo Muniz.Saka’s every touch was hailed and drooled over, the first competitive run-out on a hamstring that had been sliced open and operated on just over three months ago.A real morale-boosting, mood-changing moment in Arsenal’s season – or so we thought.After 13 minutes, centre-back Gabriel pulled up clutching his own hamstring, hobbling off with the look of a man who knows he is now a serious doubt for the visit of Real Madrid to North London for next week’s Champions League quarter final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLJust as Arsenal’s campaign faded after Saka’s hamstring issues – getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup and falling adrift in the Prem title race – their chances of progressing in Europe have now taken a huge hit to the gut.It does not stop there. Jurrien Timber had struggled for large parts before being subbed off in the 78th minute.As boss Arteta has done all season, he will need to find the answers to stop Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham without potentially two of his defensive starters, with Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White also doubts.At least they will be taking on Los Blancos with Saka back to fitness, and back to form, scoring his sixth Prem goal this term, picking up right where he left off in December.Most read in FootballThe 23-year-old started against the Cottagers on the bench, Ethan Nwaneri rewarded for his fine form in Saka’s absence with another start on the right wing.Fulham and Marco Silva – so often the architects of Arsenal’s downfall in recent years, without a league defeat to them since March 2023 – made five changes in their attempts to keep chase with the top four.’Captain on and off the pitch’ – Fans love Arsenal star Martin Odegaard’s classy gesture on international dutyMikel Merino’s deflected shot gives Arsenal the leadCredit: GettyThe Spaniard celebrates firing Arsenal in frontCredit: GettyThe Emirates atmosphere was subdued, beginning the day 12 points off leaders Liverpool, and Arsenal did not turn up in the opening stages. Misplaced passes galore.Arteta could not be blamed for turning to his bench and wondering how long he needed to wait before chucking Saka on to provide some sort of spark.A wholly uninspiring start, and then a hugely demoralising moment for Gabriel that nearly descended into a farce as he hit the floor chasing back a Fulham counter.Arsenal decided to play on and attack for a further two minutes, refusing to kick the ball out as Gabriel remained flat on the turf.Arteta and what looked like the entire coaching staff were begging their players to stop the game, as was Declan Rice, but they were ignored.Inevitably, the visitors won it back and pounced from deep, well within their rights to play on, despite hypocritical protests from Arsenal.Gabriel was forced to get back up and hobble back into the defensive line. Luckily, Fulham could only muster winning a corner before the crippled defender could be subbed off.His replacement, Jakub Kiwior – making his first Prem appearance since December 8 in the 1-1 draw at Fulham – instantly slipped and nearly let Raul Jimenez through.Fulham’s Mexican forward was involved again as Arteta was forced to contemplate another defensive injury substitution in the 28th minute.Timber went down off the ball, having felt the full force of a Jimenez follow-through. This time, the ball was kicked out and the Dutchman received treatment.He had been a doubt after suffering from illness over the international break, but was able to carry on. Saka then strolled down the touchline, lifting the atmosphere somewhat.The players on the pitch were huffing and puffing. A break was desperately needed. Nwaneri had forced Bernd Leno to palm away his volley into the ground.The England Under-21s international then drove and pulled back for Merino, the Spaniard clumsily sorted out his feet and poked into the far corner via a deflection from Jorge Cuenca – his seventh goal of the season.A messy stand-out from a forgettable half of football. Fulham trudged down the tunnel without a first-half shot on target. It took seven minutes of the second half to change that.Jimenez raced down the left of the box with Timber on his backside and David Raya’s unconvincing flap into the middle of his box had to be hoofed away by Myles Lewis-Skelly.Arsenal were trying to jam themselves into first gear. Timber smacked an effort into the chest of Leno and Merino had a close-range volley well blocked.But the arrival of Saka was what they needed – their starboy getting on the end of a Merino cross that was flicked to the back post by Martinelli.Read More on The SunWithout Gabriel, Arsenal made a meal of seeing this one out, somehow allowing Muniz to find Raya’s bottom corner in injury time.An ominous sign for the impending welcome of Carlo Ancelotti’s Galacticos. More