LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 24, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta says that Bukayo Saka is 'getting closer'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shed light on their plans to welcome Bukayo Saka back from injury.
Saka, 23, has been out injured since December, tearing a hamstring during the Gunners' festive 5-1 win away to Crystal Palace. His absence, alongside those of fellow forwards Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli, has coincided with a dip in form for Arteta's side, with Arsenal unlikely to win the Premier League title and out of both domestic cup competitions.
But the Gunners do still have the Champions League to play for, even though they've been handed a difficult tie against holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. Saka was spotted doing some light training during Arsenal's warm-weather camp in Dubai last month.
Now Arteta has gone into more detail about when we can expect to see the England star back in action. "He is going to be here [at the Arsenal training ground] next week, hopefully more with ball at his feet than he has had," the Gunners boss explained.
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"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 knows how tough of a challenge Arsenal face going up against Real, 15-time winners of the competition, so he'll be desperate to have Saka available given his dearth of forward options. "Quite a fascinating draw," he commented.
Can Arsenal beat Real Madrid if Bukayo Saka doesn't play? Have your say in the comments section.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 11: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during a training session at NAS Sports Complex on February 11, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka has been working hard to return from his injury
"I think we're going to play against the club with the biggest and most history in the competition and I'm very excited to play against them but before that we'll have to have big matches in the Premier League."
First up are London rivals Chelsea on Sunday. A win would see Arsenal move within 12 points of league leaders Liverpool, enough to keep them honest and delay what looks to be inevitable. After the international break, the Gunners will play Fulham and Everton. A clash with Brentford comes in between their two legs against Real, starting at home.
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