Injuries have hurt Arsenal this season, but there is potentially some light at the end of the tunnel with two key players reportedly closing in on their returns
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has been absent through injury since the Carabao Cup final(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA, The FA via Getty Images)
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Arsenal are reportedly hopeful that Bukayo Saka will be available for their Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. Saka has been absent from the Gunners' last five fixtures in all competitions since the Carabao Cup final due to an Achilles problem.
The setback kept him out of their quarter-final clash with Sporting. However, there is reputedly hope the winger could feature in their journey to Madrid.
There may even be a chance that Saka returns to the squad in time for Newcastle United's visit to the Emirates Stadium. That encounter takes place four days before the first leg of the semi-final.
The Independent reported on Tuesday that Arsenal are hopeful Saka will be back within the next week. Following the recent comebacks of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, the trio could finally share the pitch once more.
Should that happen, it would mark the first occasion since the opening game of the campaign against Manchester United at Old Trafford. They nearly reunited at Stamford Bridge during the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
Odegaard, however, was withdrawn before Havertz entered from the bench. The three of them also all appeared as substitutes on the final day of last season.
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The most recent occasion they featured together in the starting XI was the 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park back in December 2024 - some 16 months ago. Saka sustained a hamstring injury during that fixture and they have yet to line up in the same line-up since.
Alongside the encouraging updates surrounding Arsenal's number seven, there are also reportedly positive developments for Mikel Merino. Spanish newspaper AS reports that the player will be back running within the next two to three weeks.
He is already moving around the club's London Colney training ground unaided, without the need for crutches - as photographs taken ahead of the Manchester City fixture confirmed.
Mikel Merino
Arsenal's Mikel Merino is no longer having to use crutches(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Merino
A return in time to go to the World Cup is reportedly on course for Arsenal's Mikel Merino(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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The publication suggests a possibility of Merino returning to action before the curtain comes down on the season. The primary focus, however, remains on the World Cup, with the Spain international expected to be fit and available barring any further setbacks.
Medical staff are reportedly confident he will be ready in time, having inserted a screw in his heel, a view the player is said to share.
The Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) head of medical services is quoted as saying "we will have a clearer picture" on their fitness in the coming weeks. He is said to be in regular contact with the players and remains optimistic regarding Merino's recovery.