Bukayo Saka scored eight minutes into his comeback from injury as Arsenal prepared for a pivotal week with a 2-1 victory over Fulham. The Gunners winger returned after 101 days out with a hamstring injury to head home the second goal, having replaced Ethan Nwaneri in the 66th minute.

Nwaneri was excellent and provided the assist for Mikel Merino's opening goal. The Spaniard, once again playing as a makeshift striker, benefitted from a fortunate deflection in the 37th minute to hand Arsenal a deserved 1-0 lead heading into half-time. A late Rodrigo Muniz goal provided a consolation for Fulham but this was largely a comfortable victory for the north Londoners.

However, defender Gabriel limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury to dampen the mood seven days before Arsenal welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Here are Express Sport's player ratings...

David Raya - 6

Raya had little to do for much of the game. His goal was not troubled in the first half, with Fulham managing their first shot on target in the 52nd minute. The visitors tested Raya only twice more, including Muniz's goal four minutes into added time.

Jurrien Timber - 7

Timber's perfectly-weighted pass in behind Antonee Robinson unlocked the Fulham defence for the first time. Nwaneri's subsequent pass to Merino created Arsenal's first-half goal.

Arteta might have been concerned when Timber started to limp towards the end of the first half. The Dutchman had a cut on his knee but continued until the 77th minute, potentially as a precautionary measure.

William Saliba - 7

Raul Jimenez provided a tough physical challenge for Saliba but the Frenchman largely dealt with the Fulham striker well. Saliba was particularly accurate with his passing out from Arsenal's back line.

Gabriel - N/A

Gabriel lasted only 15 minutes before pulling up with what looked like a hamstring injury. It is a major worry for Arteta ahead of the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in seven days' time. The centre-back seemed uncomfortable as he hobbled off the pitch.

Myles Lewis-Skelly - 6

Lewis-Skelly's remarkable ability to spin his way out of trouble with his low centre of gravity was necessary on a couple of occasions. This was another solid performance from the newly-capped England international.

Thomas Partey - 7

Partey protected his back four superbly and allowed Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to push further forward.

Declan Rice - 6

Rice tried hard to break down Fulham's sturdy defence but on this occasion it was Arsenal's front three who made the decisive contributions.

Martin Odegaard - 6

Arsenal's captain has had more influential games. Fulham nullified his threat by packing the centre of the pitch, but that in turn only served to get the Gunners' wide players more involved.

Ethan Nwaneri - 8

It is so difficult not to be hugely impressed by Nwaneri every time he touches the ball. The 17-year-old's clever movement saw him found by Timber and his first-time pass located Merino in space in the penalty area. Nwaneri had several other nice moments and will surely continue to get game time even with Saka back from injury.

Mikel Merino - 8

Merino still had plenty to do after receiving Nwaneri's cut-back, manipulating the ball to create space before his deflected shot nestled in the far corner. The Spaniard has now managed five in eight games since being moved up front and looks like he could play there until the end of the season, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ruled out long-term. Merino's play was otherwise very positive.

Gabriel Martinelli - 8

Martinelli had the better of Timothy Castagne for most of the game and created five chances, the last of which was converted by Saka. Arsenal need the Brazilian to produce top performances like this on a more consistent basis.

Substitutes

Jakub Kiwior - 6

Fulham's threat improved in the second half but Kiwior dealt with it well. He could be facing Real Madrid next week if Gabriel is ruled out.

Bukayo Saka - 7

Saka enjoyed a lovely moment less than 10 minutes after his long-awaited return. Greeted to raptures in the 66th minute, the winger nodded in Martinelli's flick-on to put Arsenal 2-0 ahead.

Leandro Trossard - N/A

Trossard had little impact after replacing Timber with 12 minutes remaining.