Martinelli made difference for Arsenal vs Fulham - can he do same vs Real Madrid 

Here's Ian Mills with his series Three Things We Learned after Arsenal beat Fulham with Real Madrid impending

Saka returns to a hero’s welcome however Gabriel’s injury casts a serious doubt over impending Real Madrid quarter final:-

Here are 3 things that stood out for Ian Mills

1 - Starboy makes an instant impact on his return

– Once Mikel Arteta teased the news that Bukayo Saka was ‘ready to go’ in his pre match press conference there was tangible excitement as to when our fantastic No7 would make his return.

He entered the fray in the 66th minute to a rapturous welcome and on 73 minutes he ensured his would be a goalscoring return. Gabi Martinelli put the ball on a plate for him to head home yet the roar of the crowd and Saka and his teammates reaction displayed just how much it meant to us all.

Oh how we have missed him and whilst his return needs to be managed carefully, it is hard not to think that a season that has been decimated by injuries could yet have a fairytale ending led by our most important player.

2 - Gabriel ensures our injury woes continue

– the ying to Saka’s yang was undoubtably the early substitution of our ‘King of Brazil’ with what looks to be a hamstring injury.

Gabriel does not leave the field of play easily, yet you could see the distress etched across his face as he was forced to depart early.

With the first leg of a mammoth Champions League Quarter Final just a week away you would have to seriously question his participation in either leg.  

To add to our concerns, Jurrien Timber also suffered a first half injury that eventually forced him off in the second half with a knee problem.

Ben White had failed to make the squad with a setback earlier in the week and with Calafiori also out we are somewhat stretched at the back.

3 - Martinelli makes his mark

– Gabi had his best game for some time and but for a close offside call late on he would have rounded off a good night’s work with a well deserved goal.

He was a constant threat on the left wing and made Castagne’s one to forget as he roasted him time and time again.

He started the move that led to Saka’s goal and his layoff (whether intentional or otherwise) to provide the assist was a smart piece of play.

Performances like this can only help to improve his confidence as he looks to finish the season with a flourish.