When is Bukayo Saka back from injury for Arsenal?

Yesterday at 11:15 AM

There is increasing optimism that Bukayo Saka will return for Arsenal shortly after the international break, having been out since December.

The 23-year-old was forced out of the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 21 December and has not played since.

The England superstar had to go under the knife, with an operation on his hamstring in late December.

Speaking after the surgery, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said on 27 December: ‘He had a procedure, everything went well, but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks.

‘I said many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much longer.’

It has certainly been more than two months now but Saka’s time on the sidelines is coming to an end and he could even be involved in Arsenal’s next match, when they host Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday April 1.

Asked if Saka will return after the current international break, Arteta told Sky Sports last week: ‘Yes, he’s got a good chance,

‘He is going to be here [at the Arsenal training ground], hopefully more with ball at his feet than he has had.

‘That will mean he is passing the ball and shooting and running and everything. He has done quite a lot already on the pitch working on his own.

‘Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.

‘He’s getting closer, he’s stepping up and making a very good progress, I would say.

‘So let’s see when we start to throw him in with the team how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly.’

Arteta has already been boosted by the return of Gabriel Martinelli, who had been out of action but returned to the starting line-up against Chelsea at the weekend.

The Gunners have a very busy schedule in April in the Premier League and Champions League.

After hosting Fulham they go to Everton four days later and then comes the home leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid on April 8.

Saka will expect to be firmly back in the fold by the time the tie with Real Madrid begins and will aim to build his minutes over the games beforehand.

The England winger has been a big miss for Mikel Arteta this season, with Arsenal struggling to find their best form consistently without him.

The Gunners are desperate to get him fit again and are also keen to secure his long-term future, with contract talks set to be held.

Saka is under contract at the Emirates until 2027 but the club want to get him tied down beyond that before he reaches the last 12 months of his current deal.