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Arsenal reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fulham on Tuesday night, but their triumph was significantly overshadowed by what appears to be a deepening defensive crisis that threatens their Champions League ambitions.

In a much-needed boost for the Gunners, Bukayo Saka made his long-awaited return to action after being sidelined since December.

The England international made an immediate impact, scoring just seven minutes after coming off the bench with a close-range header from Gabriel Martinelli’s flick.

His goal proved decisive in securing three crucial points for Arsenal, who have played one more match than Liverpool.

The victory was initiated by Mikel Merino, who continued his impressive goal-scoring form by netting his fifth goal in eight matches since transitioning to a center-forward role amid Arsenal’s attacking injury crisis.

Despite a late consolation goal from Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, Arsenal held on to secure a victory that provides vital momentum ahead of their upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

Arsenal’s celebrations were tempered by a potentially serious injury to Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who was forced to leave the pitch after just 16 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

It is believed that the Brazilian defender has suffered serious damage to his hamstring, which would rule him out of the rest of the season as things stand.

Then, in the second period, Jurrien Timber could not continue after sustaining a knee issue.

The Dutch defender had initially shown signs of discomfort around the 30-minute mark but managed to continue after receiving medical assistance.

However, he went down again at the 70-minute mark and was unable to proceed.

The injuries to Gabriel and Timber compound an already significant defensive crisis at Arsenal.

Ben White missed the match against Fulham due to what Arteta described as a “minor issue” two days prior to the game.

White has been managing minor injuries for several years and underwent knee surgery in November.

Riccardo Calafiori is also sidelined for several weeks due to an injury incurred while playing for Italy during the March international break.

Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta confirmed all these injuries and revealed that he would be awaiting the diagnosis of Gabriel and Timber:

“We don’t know how they are going to be.

We will be assessing them tomorrow and understand better how we are with those two,” he said as quoted by Arsenal’s official website.

“If there are two players in this team who never want to come off, it’s those two probably.

Gabi felt something in his hamstring, we don’t know how big that is.”

“And with Jurrien as well.

Jurrien was a knee [injury].

You can imagine, we’ve lost four players in the defensive line in one week – Calafiori, Ben White, Jurrien and Gabi Magalhaes,” Arteta lamented.

“We have still another four, that are so willing that they will do their job.”

“There have been some big, big players in very, very critical positions and affecting the whole line.

Look at Mikel, look at Ethan (Nwaneri), look at other players doing other stuff?
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