The cheers for Bukayo Saka just kept getting louder. First, his name was read among the substitutes; then he started warming up; then he entered the fray with 24 minutes left; and finally, he marked his return with a goal just seven minutes later.
More than three months since his last Arsenal appearance, Saka’s comeback could hardly have gone any better. His hamstring injury and subsequent surgery had been carefully managed, but no one could have scripted such a perfect return. Arsenal were already in control against Fulham, but his goal sealed the result in a dominant display following the international break. Rodrigo Muniz’s injury-time strike gave the visitors a late consolation, but Arsenal’s 2-1 win was never in doubt.