Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will be hoping to have England forward Bukayo Saka back available as soon as possible. The Gunners winger has missed the last six weeks with a hamstring injury, and is expected to remain absent until March at the earliest when the 2024/2025 season really hots up.
Following Wednesday night’s defeat to Newcastle United, Arsenal have been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions, but they are still firmly in the Premier League title race. Though Liverpool are six points in front, and also have a game-in-hand, there are 14 matches to play.
A last-16 Champions League tie is also on the horizon with the Gunners set to face PSV Eindhoven, Juventus, AC Milan or even Feyenoord. With that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest news and updates regarding Saka’s availability after a number of decisions were made.
Arsenal boost
Saka has remained around the Arsenal senior squad despite being out with injury which has seen him captured on the touchline after and before games against Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham.
For the clash with the latter, Saka was captured using crutches to help weight bare, but they were nowhere to be seen ahead of the Villa fixture and that remained the case against City.
In the celebrations after the 5-1 win, Saka also seemed far more lively on his feet which certainly suggests positive, but gradual, progress is being made.
Training decision
With Arsenal not in action for another nine days, the squad have flown out to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. Despite picking up an injury during the match with Newcastle, Gabriel Martinelli has joined the squad out in the Middle East where scans will likely confirm the extent of his injury.
football.london understands that barring any late changes, Saka and Ben White have also made the trip where their respective recoveries will most- likely be stepped up. When the Gunners return to England in mid-February, Saka could be on the verge of getting back on the grass before hopefully joining team training later in the month.
Arteta update
Though March is, still, considered very likely to be when he returns, Arteta gave nothing away in his most recent update on Saka.
“There’s no news from the game against City,” he said during an Arsenal press conference. “Ben [White] is still out. Hopefully, after the break, he will be available, Saka not yet.
“I don’t know,” he simply replied when pushed further on Saka’s potential return date.
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