Declan Rice reacts to Bukayo Saka message after Arsenal comeback

04/02/2025 04:21 AM

Bukayo Saka didn’t take long to make an impact in his first Arsenal appearance since returning from a three-month injury layoff.

Mikel Arteta’s side returned to Premier League football after the international break and kept up the pace on Liverpool with a 2-1 win over Fulham; Mikel Merino continuing his scoring form as a makeshift striker.

Arsenal, however, still had a trump card to play off the bench, bringing on Saka for his first appearance since 21 December and seeing the 23-year-old score their second just six minutes and 36 seconds later.

Saka scoring so soon after his comeback from injury gives the Gunners a significant boost ahead of their domestic and Champions League run-in, as Arteta’s side saw out the win despite Rodrigo Muniz’s late consolation.

Bukayo Saka sends message to Arsenal fans after injury return

Saka’s goalscoring return will certainly be the highpoint of a mixed return to domestic action for Arsenal fans, who saw Gabriel Magalhaes leave the field injured just 16 minutes into the match against Fulham.

Arsenal have already been without skipper Martin Odegaard – as well as Saka – for lengthy periods this season, but post-match, Saka sent a message of thanks to the Gunners after his successful comeback.

Posting on Instagram with an photo of his celebration after scoring (1 April), Saka said: “…like we never left. Thank you.”

The post, liked by current and former Arsenal team-mates like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Eddie Nketiah, was also met with a response from Declan Rice, who posted emojis of crossed fingers and a love heart.

Saka comeback a silver lining for Arsenal

Gabriel’s injury gives Arsenal yet another setback as Arteta looks to finish the season with the strongest side possible, but the return of Saka – and his immediate impact – provides the Spaniard with options.

Arteta has been starved of depth throughout this season, particularly in the final third, but that’s both due to their injury issues and their failure to address their clear need for an out-and-out number nine.

Gunners fans are desperate to see Arteta add Viktor Gyokeres to his squad, with former Man United and Blacburn scout Mick Brown telling Football Insider that Arsenal are firmly in the race to sign the Swede.

Football Insider also revealed Arsenal are in pole position to compete for Matheus Cunha’s signature this summer, but with the league title slipping away and Real Madrid to come in Europe, Arteta’s lack of depth up front could cost the Gunners dearly before the window opens.

The post Declan Rice reacts to Bukayo Saka message after Arsenal comeback appeared first on Football Insider.