Bukayo Saka marked his return from injury with a goal and an assist as Arsenal thrashed Fulham 3-0 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The England winger, making his first start since mid-March due to an Achilles problem, looked back to his best during a dominant display that ended the Gunners' six-game winless run. Saka's goal was his first in nine games, while his assist for Viktor Gyokeres was the first he'd provided for the Sweden striker in the Premier League this season.

The timing could hardly be better for Mikel Arteta's side. Arsenal travel to Madrid on Tuesday level in their Champions League semi-final after a 2-2 draw in the first leg, and they haven't won a major trophy since 2020. "That's what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition - not only the players to be available but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference," Arteta said. "Bukayo certainly gives us that."

Saka's 45-minute showing proved exactly why Arsenal made him the highest-paid player in their history when he signed a new contract in February. The 24-year-old has been directly involved in 150 goals (80 goals, 70 assists) for the club across 308 appearances. Perhaps most encouraging was the apparent breakthrough in his partnership with Gyokeres - the pair combined twice in the first half against Fulham, suggesting Arsenal's attack may finally be clicking at the business end of the season.