Arsenal FC Training Session - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg
Mikel Arteta is preparing for the return of Bukayo Saka (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka is ready to start for Arsenal but revealed that Riccardo Calafiori is set for another spell on the sidelines.
The Gunners have been without the England international since December after he suffered a hamstring tear at Crystal Palace at the end of 2024.
But having stepped up training during the international break, the 23-year-old is now ready to return to action.
And Arteta confirmed that Saka is ready to play from the start against Fulham on Tuesday as his side look to make a dent in the 12-point gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Liverpool.
‘Bukayo Saka is ready to go,’ Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Monday.
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‘All the careful things are already done. Now it’s about putting him in the grass at the right moment. But he’s pushing because he really wants to.
‘We have respected the timeline and we have done everything. We had to hold him back but he is ready to go. He can start.’
Arsenal Training Session
Saka has been out since December last year (Picture: Getty)
Asked about the boost that Saka’s return will provide, the Spaniard added: ‘He’s another massive weapon. We know how much of an impact he’s had for the team in his role and with his contributions to our success so it’s great to have him back.’
It was not all good news for the Gunners on the injury front, however, with Arteta confirming that full-back Calafiori is set for another spell on the treatment table after picking up his latest injury while on international duty with Italy.
Arsenal FC v PSV Eindhoven - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg
Riccardo Calafiori is injured once again (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s a knee injury, both injuries were with the international team,’ Arteta said. ‘Really unfortunate the way it happened it could be much worse. Hopefully, it’s going to be a matter of weeks but we will have to see how it goes.’
Jurrien Timber, meanwhile, was absent from international duty with the Netherlands due to a serious illness but has now recovered.
‘Jurrien was ill for a long period quite badly. He’s fit much better the last few days so he’s available,’ Arteta added.
Despite the lack of match action, it’s been a busy period for Arsenal who announced the appointment of sporting director Andrea Berta from Atletico Madrid on Sunday to replace the outgoing Edu.
Asked about Berta’s arrival, Arteta, who played a part in the Italian’s hiring, said: ‘It’s a big addition to the club – a team that already has a lot of great people who have been doing such a great job.
‘It’s now about building that chemistry, so we are all very excited to have him. He is a very honest and straightforward person. He has a very clear vision of what he wants to do. He was so willing to join us which is positive.
‘He had many other possibilities but has chosen to come to us. Now it’s about us giving him the support. He has done well for many, many years at the highest level.’
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