Arsenal player ratings: Gabriel Martinelli shines against Fulham as Jakub Kiwior struggles after Gabriel injury

BUKAYO SAKA marked his return from a 101-day absence by scoring just SIX MINUTES after coming on the pitch as Arsenal waltzed to a 2-1 victory despite a late scare.

The Gunners will know their title challenge is all-but-over, however they still went about putting any remaining pressure on Liverpool with absolute professionalism against London rivals Fulham.

Mikel Merino notched another goal with a deflected finish to further prove that he's the best option Arsenal have up top amid their attacking injury crisis.

While Saka's headed finish gave Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans confidence they will have some threat when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League next week.

However, the night was marred by injuries to Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber – knocks that will be cause for concern ahead of that mammoth quarter-final on the horizon.

Here's how SunSport's Joshua Hall rated Arteta's men on their return to the Emirates after the break…

David Raya – 7

Week by week Raya is staking a claim as one of the best goalkeepers in the league.

He doesn't have to face a barrage of shots as part of this Arsenal team, but rarely falters when he is called upon.

While his distribution and preventative high claims are amongst the best around.

There was little he could have done to stop Rodrigo Muniz's deflected goal.

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Jurrien Timber – 6

It looked like the Dutchman's night was going to be cut short around the half an hour mark when he went down clutching his knee.

Fortunately, he was able to play on even managed to test Bend Leno with a stinging effort in the second half.

Unfortunately his earlier knock proved too much and he was taken off with a niggle in the 75th minute.

Arsenal could now be without two starting defenders for their clash with Real Madrid.

Gabriel Magalhaes – N/A

Just when Arsenal fans thought they were creeping out of their injury crisis with the return of Bukayo Saka, they lose another top star.

Gabriel hobbled off after just 15 minutes to be replaced by Jakub Kiwior.

Arteta – and every Arsenal fan up and down the country – will be hoping the wall at the back will be fighting fit for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid next week.

William Saliba – 6

Stepped up to the plate in Gabriel's absence and looked assured both on and off the ball.

His frame did wonders to prevent Raul Jimenez from fashioning any chances in dangerous areas.

However, he wasn't able to do enough to stop Rodrigo Muniz from batting it against him to pull a late goal back for Fulham.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7

Every time you see Lewis-Skelly play you wonder how he's only 18 and not a seasoned pro with years of experience at the top.

He didn't set the world alight against the Cottagers, but looked just as assured and comfortable as he always does – this time without Gabriel by his side.

While he also made an important bloke to prevent Muniz after Fulham had pulled back a late goal.

Mikel Arteta has splashed the cash to have a plethora of options at left-back, yet it seems like the Hale End academy graduate is now the number one choice for that position.

Thomas Partey – 7

Almost gifted Fulham a golden opportunity with a loose header in the first half, but saw David Raya pop up to save the day.

Despite a few loose touches he did enough to keep the ball moving in central areas.

He's become an important starter for Arsenal this season, yet still seems to be on his way out in the summer on the expiration of his deal.

Declan Rice – 6

He's not a glamorous footballer, but he's always going to give 100 per cent no matter what.

Certainly not his worst game in an Arsenal shirt, but by no means his best.

Martin Odegaard – 5

Another frustrating night for the Arsenal captain who seems to have been unable to find the keys to unlock the low block his side faces each week.

The Norwegian is certainly one of the best talents in the league, but has only shown it in glimpses this season.

Arsenal as whole looked a bit laboured and lacklustre at times, often that's a result of the way Odegaard is playing. When he ticks, the whole team does too.

Gabriel Martinelli – 9

Regularly made Timothy Castagne look silly throughout the match and get into dangerous positions by the byline.

But despite fashioning plenty of opportunities, the Brazilian was – as per usual – struggling with his end product in the first half.

It almost seemed as if every shot or final pass was rushed or snatched at for the opening 45 minutes.

That changed in the second half when his delightful flick perfectly teed up Bukayo Saka for a dream return to action.

Finally looked like he had the goal to top off a spectacular performance in the dying moments, but was deemed to be marginally offside when his effort found the back of the net.

Ethan Nwaneri – 7

Bright spark in the opening exchanges and Volleyed one right down the throat of Bernd Leno in the 21st minute as he looked the most likely to find the back of the net at first.

Instead it was his cutback that helped open the scoring when he placed it onto the boot of Mikel Merino to poke home the first goal of the night.

Replaced by Saka in the second half in perhaps a foreshadowing of what might happen to his role in the squad for the remainder of the season.

Mikel Merino – 8

Merino has stepped up the role of of make-shift striker with the sort of professionalism you would want from any player in your team.

He might not make darting runs behind the back four, or curl delightful efforts round the keeper, but he's certainly got a knack for goal.

His punt towards goal took a healthy deflection off Jorge Cuenca to send it into the corner, but he won't care – now netting an impressive five goals in eight games as a centre-forward.

He almost made that six when he rifled another effort goalward from a corner in the 60th minute

SUBS

Jakub Kiwior (for Gabriel, 15mins) – 4

Always a tough task to replace one of the best defenders in the league, but didn't do enough to impress at all.

Sloppily gave the ball away to gift a golden opportunity to Adama Traore in the second half, but was lucky to see the shot blazed wide.

While he was partly to blame for leaving Rodrigo Muniz wide open for his wayward header on the 80th minute mark – once again saved by sloppy finishing.

With each game that passes it seems to be more obvious that the Polish international just isn't at the required level.

Bukayo Saka (for Nwaneri, 66mins) – 8

The Emirates erupted in its loudest cheer of the night when Saka made his return to action after 21 games and 101 days on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

That was until he nodded home the Gunners' second just six minutes after crossing the line and an even louder roar bellowed around N5.

Arsenal have missed him dearly, and a return right before perhaps the biggest European game in the Emirates era could be crucial for Mikel Arteta's side.

Leandro Trossard (for Timber, 77mins) – 5

Had very little impact on the match coming on so late, but did nick the ball off the foot of captain Odegaard who was lining up a thunderous effort.