The last time Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Martin Odegaard were all fit and available for Arsenal was November 23. They have only managed four Premier League matches together so far this season.
Compare that to last year and 2022/23, when Mikel Arteta built his team around the right-sided triangle, and it is clear why Arsenal have struggled. There are other issues at play, namely the lack of depth up front and problems with scoring in open play, but being without a key trident for so long has been a major factor in the drop-off.
Even when White was fit at the start of the season he lost Odegaard ahead of him due to injury after just over a month. Odegaard's eventual return came at the end of November before Saka was ruled out for more than four months in mid-December.
White himself missed two games early on, came back briefly, and then needed surgery having played through pain to get to that stage. It has decimated Arteta's biggest weapon and disrupted the flow of the team.
Two of the three are now back for Arsenal and it couldn't come at a more important time. When Real Madrid visit at the start of April it will take all of the squad's quality, know-how, and clutch ability to progress in the Champions League.
In Saka, White, and Odegaard, Arsenal have three of their most reliable players. Not only are these guys proven and exceptional but they are tactically versatile, offering Arteta the chance to deploy bespoke plans. They can be disciplined and creative at the same time, balancing adventure with solidity. At their best, they are everything Arteta needs and wants.
Their movements are wide-ranging with overlaps, underlaps, rotations, one-touch passes, interplay, and setting traps before springing. They work hard and are dogged off the ball, counter-pressing and holding shape when required.
If Saka is to be back before the first leg against Madrid then he will have to return to training outdoors soon. That will be a massive boost for his teammates and the club's chances of making the semi-finals. It will be the first time since November that they have all been available and on the grass together.
In the meantime, Odegaard has had to carry a heavy burden despite being below his best. Ethan Nwaneri has attempted to share the load but is only 18. He has done a brilliant job of providing a spark either in midfield or on the right, but he is not Saka or Odegaard.
Jurrien Timber has done very little wrong at full-back but does not have the same ingrained patterns grooved into his system. What made Odegaard, White, and Saka so good is their understanding and relationship. It had developed over three years and is now off-the-cuff, unpredictable, and telepathic.
For Arsenal to stand a chance against the European kings across two matches they will need all three ready and ideally somewhere near their best as well. This might not be possible as White continues to recover from a lengthy setback and Saka gets up to speed. Just having them on the field increases the chances of a win, though.
Not only does it help add depth, allowing Leandro Trossard a place on the bench where he so often can have an impact, sparing Nwaneri and making him a potential super substitute as well, but it raises the ceiling. When Arsenal are not at their best it has been one of Saka or Odegaard with a moment of magic to split games open more often than not.
White's movement, either going inside, holding his position, dropping deep, exchanging a pass, or driving down the line, is then a dangerous outlet. Even when he doesn't get the ball he attracts opponents and warrants attention simply because of his connection with Saka and Odegaard.
The sooner Arteta has them all at the Sobha Realty Training Complex the better. White was given an added rest during the break after not making Thomas Tuchel's England squad, with Saka still on his road to recovery. The extra weekend away from club football due to the FA Cup matches then allows Arsenal longer again to work with Odegaard when he is back from duty with Norway.
This moment has been over four months in waiting. How well it succeeds could make or break Arsenal's season.
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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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