Fulham’s Tom Cairney stunned by Arsenal fans: ‘I haven’t heard anything like it’
Fulham captain Tom Cairney couldn’t believe what he heard from Arsenal fans while warming up on the touchline during the Gunners’ 2-1 win at the Emirates.
Bukayo Saka made his long-awaited return to a huge ovation from supporters, and scored the winner within minutes, after having suffered the first major injury of his career against Crystal Palace (21 December), requiring surgery on a torn hamstring followed by a lengthy rehabilitation programme.
Prior to this, Saka was on course for his best season under Mikel Arteta, having scored nine goals and contributed a further 14 assists during 24 matches in all competitions.
Perhaps the only benefit to Saka having an extended spell on the sidelines is the emergence of fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri, while also giving the winger an opportunity to get some much needed rest.
Due the nature of his injury, concerns still remain over the high reoccurrence rates after hamstring surgery, therefore despite the Arsenal fans delight at the 23-year-old’s return, Arteta may be forced to take a cautious approach when reintegrating him into the side.
Fulham midfielder Cairney claimed that he thought Arsenal had scored when Saka’s number came up on the substitute’s board with the score at 1-0 to the home side.
Arsenal fans delighted to see Saka back in action
Speaking live on Sky Sports Soccer Special the following day (7.11pm, 2 April, 2025) Cairney was shocked by the reaction of the fans towards Saka returning to action, saying: “I just went out to warm up, I was stretching and I thought they’d scored. That is honestly how loud it was.
“I haven’t heard anything like it to be honest. I knew Saka was obviously a fan favourite and the star boy who came through the system, but it was amazing to see to be honest.
“I’m happy for him because it was a bad, bad injury that he had. Hopefully rehab’s gone right because you never know with hamstrings and electric players, things can happen.
“It was kind of meant to fall to him. I was warming up at that point as well. It was amazing for the Arsenal fans. It’s good to see him back, it’s good for the Premier League, and will he start against Real Madrid? I think he might, I think they might chuck him in.”
Saka could be thrown in from the start against Real Madrid
Football Insider verdict
Arsenal‘s win versus Fulham was a night of contrasting emotions. In the same breath in which the Emirates welcomed back their man main, they lost another key player to injury.
Hamstring problems have plagued the Arsenal squad, with not only Saka but Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and now Gabriel Magalhães set to miss an extended period due to the same injury.
The Brazilian is now a major doubt to face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next week and could miss both legs.
However, with the one part of his favoured centre-back pairing it could force Arteta to fight fire with fire and throw Saka back in from the start.
| Arsenal’s win rate with and without Saka |
| With Saka – 63.5% |
| Without Saka – 40.9% |
The Champions League looks to be Arsenal’s last chance at silverware this season, with the Gunners’ currently sitting 12 points off Liverpool after they beat Everton 1-0 on Wednesday night (2 April).
If Arsenal are to win Europe’s elite competition this time out, they will need Saka to pick up from where he left off prior to his three-month spell on the sidelines.