Arsenal were handed a huge injury boost this week with talisman Bukayo Saka returning to training.
The Hale Ender sustained a serious hamstring injury against Crystal Palace in December and was forced to undergo surgery. The 23-year-old has been slowly working his way back to fitness and finally returned to team training on Thursday.
"Hello again," Saka posted on his Instagram page on Thursday alongside a snap of himself in training. David Raya and Declan Rice were among Saka's teammates to comment on the post.
Saka's return will be a huge boost to Mikel Arteta and the Gunners squad. While the club's Premier League title hopes may have faded, Arsenal are still in the Champions League and will battle with Real Madrid in only a matter of weeks.
But how should Arsenal manage Saka's return? Should he be thrown in from the start, or slowly be given minutes to build up his fitness? football.london's writers have their say, below!
Sam Truelove
Arsenal's next fixture is against Fulham at Emirates Stadium on April 1. then comes Everton on April 5 before the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid on April 8. A big couple of weeks ahead, indeed.
From an Arsenal point of view, Saka ideally starts against Carlo Ancelotti's side. For that to happen, then, he needs do get some minutes against Fulham and Everton. If Saka gets through the next few training sessions then a place on the bench against Fulham seems sensible. Oh what a boost that would give the Gunners players and supporters.
Perhaps a short second half cameo against Fulham is then followed by a longer period on the pitch against Everton. Some goals and assists, too, would help Saka's confidence and be the perfect scenario going into the first leg against Madrid. Mikel Arteta will worry, however, that Saka could pick up another injury after being out for so long but everyone involved with the club will be hoping that does not happen.
Tom Coley
There is no simpler way to put it. Arsenal need Saka to get past Real Madrid and they need him for the first leg more than anything. Being at home, if Arsenal are to get through, then they need to go to the Santiago Bernabeu with something to defend.
Being behind in the tie ahead of the second leg cannot be an option. With that in mind, Saka needs to be prepared to start at the Emirates Stadium.
A half fit Saka is better than anything else Arsenal can do. He needs to be built up in the coming weeks towards that match and then Arsenal can try and get something out of it.
Tom Canton
Arsenal possess some of the finest minds in the sports science field and despite the irony that the club have suffered with a significant injury crisis this season, this is no slight on their ability. Last season the club had great fortune with injuries but there was no serious praise to the medical staff at that time.
The point being, the club know exactly how to handle Bukayo Saka's return and will be very cautious in how they approach it. If Saka starts, it will be because he is ready to play from the off, it is as simple as that.
I would defer my feelings to those far more in the know, but what I do know is that Saka has been doing great behind the scenes. He has impressed during his recovery and quite frankly it might be the least surprising thing to learn the determination that has been shown by the club talisman to get back into the fold as soon as possible.
Amie Wilson
I think one of the most important aspects of a player returning from injury is how their return to playing competitive football is managed, especially if the player is as important to a side as Saka is to Arsenal.
For me, the aim should be to get him to a point where he is fit enough to play from the start against Real Madrid. With the Premier League title all but gone, Arsenal’s priority should now lie in the Champions League.
With two games between Arsenal and the first leg, they will hopefully be used to build up his game time. If deemed fit enough an ideal scenario will see Saka named on the bench against Fulham on Tuesday night and maybe come on for the final 15 or 20 minutes.
That can then be built up again against Arsenal a few days later, with him either starting and playing the first 45 minutes, or again on the bench and playing the final half an hour.
Arsenal need to be careful not to push Saka back with too much too quickly though, or they risk losing him for longer through injury.
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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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