Arsenal win, Forest beat United

London, April 2

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Bukayo Saka stood with his arms outstretched and a wide, cheeky grin on his face as he took in the acclaim of the Arsenal fans. It was like he’d never been away.

On his first appearance after more than three months out injured, the England winger scored what proved to be the clinching goal in a 2-1 win over Fulham as Arsenal trimmed the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to nine points on Tuesday.

Saka — Arsenal’s star player and easily their most popular — entered as a substitute in the 66th minute to a huge ovation after his long absence because of a serious hamstring problem. Within seven minutes, he was being cheered again after nodding home Arsenal’s second at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the supporters’ thunderous reception toward Saka showed how much “people love him and missed him.”

“He lifted the stadium,” Arteta said, while Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice welcomed back “one of the best wingers in the world.”

“He attacks the box

and sniffs the goal,” Rice said. “With Bukayo back, it’s a real boost.”

Mikel Merino scored the 37th-minute opener for second-placed Arsenal.

Arsenal stayed four points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest, who beat Manchester United 1-0 thanks to a brilliant solo goal by Anthony Elanga — a former United player — to close in on a remarkable qualification for the Champions League.

Forest, which was battling relegation last season, are 10 points clear of sixth-placed Newcastle. The top five are likely to qualify for next season’s Champions League.