Mikel Arteta has said Bukayo Saka has returned to form at a key stage of the season as Arsenal push for success in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the league table with a 3-0 win over Fulham. Viktor Gyökeres scored twice, while Saka added a goal as the result increased pressure on title rivals Manchester City.
The win keeps Arsenal on course to end a 22-year wait for the league title. The team is also chasing a first Champions League title, with focus now shifting to the semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Saka, who had been dealing with an Achilles issue, made his first start since March and contributed a goal and an assist before being substituted at half-time.
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“Today he felt loose, he felt relaxed, and I think we had the Bukayo that we know back,” Arteta said of Saka, who has been managing an Achilles issue and was taken off at halftime as a result.
“He certainly made a difference. 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.”
Arteta said the performance would help build confidence ahead of the European tie.
“That’s what we want now, use that momentum, energy, belief towards Tuesday,” said Arteta. “We’re certainly going to need that. When I look at the atmosphere in the dressing room, I think [the momentum] is tracking it in the right direction.
“It was a critical game because we know the importance of the win and the manner that we’ve done it and the goal difference in the Premier League, and because this game was going to carry a lot of energy towards the next game.
“It’s certainly going to do that and now we have one of the biggest games in the history of this stadium, for sure, on Tuesday in front of our people and we’re going to try to make it happen.”
