Arsenal: Mikel Arteta issues Bukayo Saka injury latest after half-time substitution | OneFootball

Forward was subbed at the interval as Gunners went six points clear in Premier League title race

Mikel Arteta declared Bukayo Saka is now "back" and pain-free as the winger looks to make up for lost time and fire Arsenal to major silverware.

Saka made his return to the starting lineup in the 3-0 win over Fulham for the first time since the Carabao Cup final, having been managing an Achilles injury.

He captained the Gunners and was sensational in the first half, skipping away from Raul Jimenez and delivering a superb cross to assist Viktor Gyokeres' opener before then doubling the lead himself with a confident finish.

Saka was withdrawn at half time with Arteta having an eye on Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, with the tie poised at 1-1 on aggregate.

An Achilles injury was hampering Saka even before his recent spell on the sidelines but Arteta is confident his key man in attack is no longer being held back.

"We have to [protect him]," Arteta said.

"He played 30 odd minutes in Madrid, now he's played 45 minutes. We need to ramp up his load but we need to be careful because we need him on that pitch.

'I think the pain is gone, that was obviously something that was restricting his capacity to deliver certain actions. Today he felt loose, he felt relaxed and we had the Bukayo that we know back."

Dream team: Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres

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Saka created four chances in his 45 minutes on the pitch, at least double the tally of another other player across the whole match.

He missed both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon due to injury and was fit enough only to come off the bench against Atletico in Madrid.

However, he is now expected to start in the second leg against Atletico and this was the perfect tune-up for that as confidence visibly returned to Saka after a tough season.

"He certainly made a difference," Arteta said.

"He made two actions that obviously decided the game. We know what he's capable of.

"He's come back in the most important period of the season and now he's fresh. His mind is fresh, his hunger is at the highest possible height.

"I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team so that's a big platform for Tuesday."