Arteta will sweat his fitness towards Real Madrid’s first foot visit next Tuesday, but Saka has his manager’s mind escaped just seven minutes after injury as his goal sealed three points for the Arsenal side, who missed his quality.
The joys seen on the scoresheet with the 23-year-old back were clear among their supporters, with England International running to celebrate Sam Wilson, the club’s lead coach who was helping him with his comeback.
“Yes, I think it’s a beautiful moment to see how much our people love, respect and admire Bukayo,” Arteta said of the celebration following Saka’s 73rd minute finish.
“He’s not a surprise to us. I think the best example is his reaction.
“What will he do right after scoring the goal? He goes and thanks all the effort he has made to ensure that every sports science person, physio and everyone involved in recovery can be in his condition for him.
“I think he lifted the stadium.
Arsenal struggles to beat the team in Saka’s absence, which was exacerbated by a season-ending injury to Javez and Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, who derailed the Premier League title bid.
The pattern of them having a lot of possessions and not creating opportunities for scoring has seen many supporters this season. And it was re-released in the first half before makeshift striker Mikel Merino won the 37-minute opener.
Fans cheered when his name was read, and Saka received a standing ovation when he first warmed up when he returned to the pitch for the first time since December.
Arsenal supporters and clubs know how important he is, and in the Champions League they have the only trophies available this season, they need him to get a chance to win past European champions Real Madrid in the past eight times.
The statistics back up the impact Saka has when he is by his side.
In 16 Premier League matches he was available before his injury, the gunner scored 34 goals at a 2.1 rating per game.
He then missed 13, and they scored 19 at a 1.5 rating per match.
Points per game fell from 2.1 to 1.9 in the time he was sidelined, but the expected goals also fell from 1.9 to 1.2 per game, and the big chances per game also fell from 3.4 to 2.4.
“It’s obvious that we’ll see Arsenal fall in the Premier League [since his injury]. Saka had a huge dependency and they missed him very much while he was out. ”
“He’s back now and make it to Real Madrid next week. It’s a huge game and he’ll be watching it tightly.
“I think Saka’s return not only lifted the players but the entire place, but Arsenal honestly needed a lift.”
The victory over Fulham moved them within nine points of league leader Liverpool, but Gunners played more games and Murray admitted Saka’s absence was a big reason for that.
“They have seen their Premier League titles get away from them in recent weeks. They don’t have nine people, so there’s no “Star Boy” Saka,” he added.
“I feel like there is growing belief around the Emirates, even if he isn’t completely leaning right away, he brings so much to those around him.
“Saka is a different maker. He knows where he is and what to do. This time he arrives on time in the back post and fine-tunes the ball into an empty net.”
