By Korede James
Bukayo Saka marked his return from injury with a goal as Arsenal defeated Fulham 2-1 in Tuesday’s English Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
Also on Tuesday night, Super Eagles stars Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi featured for Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, while Wolves defeated West Ham 1-0.
With their victory, Arsenal moved to within nine points of leaders Liverpool in the league table, with Fulham remaining in eighth place.
Liverpool will be in action on Wednesday night against Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey started the game on the bench for Fulham before the former came on in the 67th minute against his old club.
Saka, who had been out since December, doubled Arsenal’s lead in the second half but the home team suffered another injury blow as Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off early, replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
After a dominant start, Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 38th minute thanks to makeshift striker Mikel Merino, who received a cutback from Ethan Nwaneri and hit a right-foot shot that went in off a deflection.
Arsenal went close to scoring a second goal several times and were eventually rewarded 17 minutes from time as Saka nodded home from close range off a Gabriel Martinelli assist.
Brazil forward Martinelli thought he had netted Arsenal’s third late on, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
It was a nervy end to the game for the Gunners as Fulham pulled a goal back through Rodrigo Muniz whose strike deflected off William Saliba and rolled into the back of the net in stoppage time.
At the City Ground, Nottingham Forest continued their push for a top four place finish as Anthony Elanga netted against his former club.
Forest broke from a United corner and Elanga ran from deep inside his half before finishing beyond Andre Onana to score the only goal of the game.
Aina had to go off in the 39th minute with an injury while Awoniyi was replaced in the 86th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men stay third in the table, while United are 13th.
RESULTS
Arsenal 2-1 Fulham
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Manchester United
Wolves 1-0 West Ham
