Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday thanks to another goal from stand-in striker Mikel Merino and a goal from Bukayo Saka minutes after returning from almost four months out injured.

Arsenal took the lead eight minutes before half-time when Jurriën Timber's neat ball found Ethan Nwaneri at the back of the Fulham defence. He found Merino, whose shot deflected into the corner beyond the reach of goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

The second half was a flurry of chances for both sides.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard shot over from Gabriel Martinelli's cross. Fulham came close to equalising when Raúl Jiménez's breakaway chance was well saved by David Raya, only for Leno to do the same at the other end.

Saka's return brought the biggest cheer from the Arsenal faithful when the 23-year-old nodded home a flicked-on cross in the 73rd minute, shortly after coming on.

It wasn't a perfect night for the home side. Rodrigo Muniz scored a late consolation for Fulham, while key Arsenal defender Gabriel limped off early on with a hamstring injury.

The home side's victory leaves them nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool with eight games remaining. Arne Slot's side could close the gap further when they visit local rivals Everton on Wednesday.

Arsenal also face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday before hosting Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final next week.