Bukayo Saka’s return sparks Arsenal revival ahead of Champions League semi-final decider

Key facts

• Bukayo Saka made his first start since mid-March after an Achilles injury.
• Saka scored his first goal in nine games and added an assist in the first half against Fulham.
• Arsenal won 3-0, their first victory by two or more goals since beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in March.
• The win at Emirates Stadium ended a run of only two wins in six matches.
• Saka was substituted at halftime to be fresh for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid.
• Arsenal and Atlético are level after the first leg of their semi-final.
• Nigel Reo-Coker described Saka’s positivity as 'infectious' and said 'something feels different' with him in the team.
• Saka signed a new contract in February, making him the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history.

Saka’s spark reignites Arsenal’s attack

Bukayo Saka returned to the starting lineup for the first time since mid-March and immediately transformed Arsenal’s fortunes. In a 3-0 victory over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, the 24-year-old winger scored a curling goal and provided an assist in the first half, his first goal in nine appearances and the first time he had both scored and assisted in a Premier League game since November 2024. His performance ended a drought in which Arsenal had won only two of their previous six matches and had not scored three or more goals since a 4-1 demolition of Tottenham in February. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the impact. 'Well, he certainly made a difference,' Arteta said after the match. 'He made two actions that decided the game, and we know what he’s capable of. He’s come back in the most important period of the season, and now he’s fresh, his mind is fresh, his hunger is at the highest possible height, and I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team, so that’s a big platform for Tuesday.'

A timely return from injury

Saka had been sidelined since mid-March with an Achilles injury, a problem he had been managing before being forced to rest. His absence coincided with Arsenal’s worst attacking spell of the season: the team had not won by two or more goals since beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in the Champions League last 16 in March. Against Fulham, Saka played only 45 minutes before being substituted at halftime as a precaution ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid. Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast, noted the shift in the team’s energy. 'When you’re at a club like Arsenal, with what they’re going through, and your top players are playing well then it becomes infectious,' Reo-Coker said. 'Saka played with a smile on his face. When was the last time we saw him smile like that on a football pitch? It made a big difference. His performance was very infectious for the rest of the team.'

The stakes: Champions League final within reach

Arsenal and Atlético Madrid are level after the first leg of their semi-final, making Tuesday’s second leg at the Emirates a decisive encounter. The winner advances to the Champions League final, a stage Arsenal have not reached since 2006. For Arteta, who has rebuilt the squad around young talents like Saka, the match represents the best chance to end a trophy drought stretching back to 2020. Saka’s return comes at a critical moment. The Gunners had looked disjointed in recent weeks, but against Fulham they displayed the fluid attacking football that had been missing since February. Reo-Coker observed that 'with him, they played with a lot more energy, enthusiasm and aggression than we have seen for a while. It was like now the messaging from Arteta is finally seeming to be coming through to the players.'

Contract and status: Arsenal’s highest-paid player

In February, Saka signed a new contract that made him the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history, a reflection of his importance to the club. The 24-year-old, nicknamed 'Starboy' by fans, has been the creative heartbeat of Arteta’s side. His goal against Fulham, a clever curled finish past former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno, demonstrated the quality that had been missing during his injury layoff. Reo-Coker summed up the sentiment: 'That’s why they call him the Starboy. Something feels different with him in the team.' The performance against Fulham was Saka’s first start since the injury, and his sharpness in just 45 minutes suggests he is fully recovered.

Outlook: Can Saka lead Arsenal to glory?

Tuesday’s match against Atlético Madrid will test whether Saka’s return can sustain Arsenal’s momentum. The team’s attack, which had stagnated without him, now has its chief creator back. Arteta has emphasized that Saka is fresh and hungry, and the manager’s decision to rest him at halftime against Fulham underscores the priority placed on the Champions League. If Arsenal can beat Atlético, they will reach the final and have a chance to win their first major trophy since 2020. For Saka, who has shouldered the burden of expectation since breaking into the first team, the stage is set for a defining performance. As Reo-Coker put it, 'Arteta looks like he has finally got his players to believe that they’re on fire.' The question now is whether that fire will carry them all the way.

The bottom line

• Bukayo Saka’s return from an Achilles injury immediately revitalized Arsenal’s attack, producing a goal and assist in a 3-0 win over Fulham.
• Arsenal had won only two of six matches before Saka’s return and had not scored three or more goals since February.
• Saka was substituted at halftime to be fresh for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid, with the tie level.
• Nigel Reo-Coker described Saka’s performance as 'infectious,' noting the team played with more energy and aggression.
• Saka signed a new contract in February making him Arsenal’s highest-paid player, underscoring his central role.
• The Champions League semi-final decider against Atlético Madrid represents Arsenal’s best chance to end a trophy drought since 2020.