Arsenal have been forced to do without a number of their key players in recent weeks including Bukayo Saka but the winger is now on the cusp of a return to action
Bukayo Saka and Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka could return this weekend(Image: (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images))
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Bukayo Saka is set to be included in the Arsenal squad for their home game against Newcastle alongside Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
The Gunners have been without their talisman for the last few weeks due to an Achilles injury, with Saka's last appearance for the club coming in the Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City. But the 24-year-old is now on the cusp of a return to action as Arsenal and City gear up for the title run-in.
"No [issues]. Bukayo is probably going to be in the squad," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference when he was asked for an update on the England star. "So good news."
Saka has not been alone on the sidelines, with other key figures missing recent games. Those include Arteta's first-choice full-backs in Calafiori and Jurrien Timber. Arteta confirmed that the former is also set to make a return this weekend.
The prospect of Saka and others returning to the fold sooner rather than later will be a huge boost for Arsenal following a challenging week which saw them relinquish their spot at the top of the Premier League to Manchester City on goals scored.
Pep Guardiola's men are now ahead by the thinnest of margins after beating the Gunners 2-1 last weekend before following that up with another win over Burnley on Wednesday night.
Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori during an Arsenal training session
Riccardo Calafiori is also set to return(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal have the opportunity to nudge back ahead of City this weekend with their title rivals playing against Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Following their home match with Newcastle, the Gunners have a Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid to look forward to with a home game against Fulham sandwiched in between those two games. They then face a trip to West Ham and a home game with already relegated Burnley before travelling to Crystal Palace on the final day.
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