Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will return to training next week as he nears full recovery from a hamstring injury.
Saka has been sidelined since before Christmas after suffering a serious hamstring tear in a match against Crystal Palace. The England international underwent surgery and has been forced to watch from the sidelines as Arsenal’s title challenge faced setbacks. His absence has been further compounded by Gabriel Jesus’ long-term injury, leaving Arteta with limited attacking options.
However, with the 2024-25 season heading into its critical stages, Arteta provided an optimistic update on Saka’s progress.
“He’s getting closer,” Arteta said in his Friday press conference. “He’s stepping up and making very good progress. Let’s see when we start to involve him with the team, how he reacts, and how quickly he can regain full fitness.”
“He’s going to be here next week, hopefully with the ball at his feet,” he added. “That means passing, shooting, running—everything. He has already done quite a lot on his own on the pitch, so the next step is integrating him into team training and seeing how he copes.”
The Gunners are also gearing up for a Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid, with the first leg at the Emirates on April 8, followed by the return leg in Spain the following week. Arteta confirmed that Saka is expected to be fit for those pivotal matches, with the 23-year-old set to increase his workload next week while the rest of the squad is away on international duty.
