Bukayo Saka has shown his true colours ahead of Arsenal's clash against Manchester United. Ruben Amorim will face Mikel Arteta at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as they both look to climb the Premier League table.
Arsenal enjoyed a 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday night, taking a huge lead back to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg of the round of 16. Then, on Thursday evening, United locked horns with Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
While the North Londoners may fancy their chances against the Red Devils this weekend, they're still without a senior striker and – maybe more importantly – Saka. The 23-year-old winger suffered a hamstring injury during Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace in December.
Saka underwent surgery a few days later, and he's been absent ever since. The England international was spotted doing gym work during the club's warm-weather training camp in Dubai last month but, given the nature of his injury, he won't be rushed back from the sidelines.
"Let’s see how they evolve in the next few weeks to make the right steps and then after that, they’ve been out for a long, long time, so we’re going to have to integrate them as well gradually," said Arteta, when he was recently asked for an update on Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
"They are evolving well but they’re still a bit far. We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss where they are, especially Gabi, who probably has a chance before Bukayo to come in, but how soon that is, we’ll have to see how it evolves in the next week or 10 days."
Bukayo Saka showcases message of support from some Arsenal fans
Bukayo Saka showcases message of support from some Arsenal fans (Image: @BukayoSaka87 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/bukayosaka87/3582402749548228351/)
Nevertheless, Saka has found time in his busy schedule to thank those who have been supporting him on his road to recovery. On his Instagram story, the England international has showcased a folder of kindly hand-written messages wishing him well.
In a separate Instagram story, Saka thanked his supporters by posting a red heart emoji, showing his true colours. While many will expect the Hale End graduate to reclaim his place in Arsenal starting lineup upon his return, Wayne Rooney has suggested otherwise.
Bukayo Saka showcases message of support from some Arsenal fans
Bukayo Saka showcases message of support from some Arsenal fans (Image: @BukayoSaka87 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/bukayosaka87/3582402796180549390/)
On Saka and Martinelli, Wayne Rooney said on Amazon Prime: "They've got to get back into the team. The young lads have come into the team and they've been fantastic and it's all about momentum.
"When you have and injury and you're out for a long period of time, you need to work your way back into the team. Of course they are top players and they'll have a big chance of getting back into the team, but if these lads keep doing what they're doing and keep shining then it's not going to be as easy as people think."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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