Bukayo Saka made his long-awaited return from injury on Tuesday night and made an immediate impact as he scored in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Fulham, running over to recognise the fitness coach who helped him in his recovery
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka made a beeline for fitness coach Sam Wilson after scoring just seven minutes into his return from injury against Fulham – after he played a huge part in the winger’s recovery. Saka wasted little time getting off the mark on his comeback at the Emirates on Tuesday night as he fired in the Gunners’ second goal of the game in a 2-1 win.
Arteta introduced Saka in the 66th minute, coming on for Ethan Nwaneri, and he enjoyed the perfect game back as he headed home from Gabriel Martinelli’s flick-on. Saka wheeled away and ran around the goal as he made a point of running straight to Wilson to embrace him, thanking him for helping him get back onto the pitch again.
Wilson has been with Arsenal since 2014, initially starting as an Under-18s coach before moving his way up to the Under-21s and eventually becoming the first team fitness coach.
Saka hadn’t played a game since late December after tearing his hamstring and being forced to have surgery on the issue that ruled him out for four months.
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His absence was part of a crippling injury crisis that ruled out a host of Arsenal’s key forwards, including Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli – with Saka’s return providing a huge boost to the team.
Arsenal still have eight games left in the Premier League as they look to keep their slim Premier League hopes alive and his return comes at the perfect time ahead of the team’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.
Saka has 10 goals and 13 assists so far this season and losing him was a bitter blow for Arteta and the Spaniard could not hide his joy to get him back in the team this week – calling him “a massive weapon” as he announced his return.
“Bukayo Saka is ready to go,” he said. “All the careful things are already done. Now it’s about putting him on the grass at the right moment, but he’s pushing because he really wants to.
“We have respected the timeline and we have done everything. Bukayo is a massive weapon that we have.
“We know the impact he has in the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success.”
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