Bukayo Saka has been out since December, but the Arsenal winger is edging closer to a return from his hamstring injury. The 23-year-old sustained the issue during Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on December 21, forcing him to undergo surgery later that month.
Mikel Arteta confirmed the procedure was successful but emphasized that Saka’s recovery would take several weeks. Initially estimating a two-month absence, the Arsenal manager remained cautious, unwilling to set a firm return date. Saka, however, reassured fans through Instagram, promising to come back stronger.
Over two months have passed, and Saka has yet to feature in a matchday squad. His teammate Gabriel Martinelli is also sidelined with a similar hamstring injury. Arteta ruled out their return before the international break but hinted that both could be available afterward.
Arsenal’s first match after the break is against Fulham on April 1, and Arteta is hopeful that both wingers will be ready. However, he stressed the importance of reintroducing them gradually to avoid further complications. While Martinelli is slightly ahead in his recovery, Saka’s steady progress remains encouraging.
Despite optimism, Arteta has been vague about an exact return date. He explained that recovery timelines can shift based on how a player responds to increased training demands. The Arsenal boss emphasized that Saka is at a crucial stage in his rehab, where his ability to handle intense workouts will dictate his availability.
Saka has continued working on his fitness, with recent images showing him training in Dubai. His return against Fulham is possible, but if not, Arsenal may target the Everton fixture on April 5 as a more realistic comeback date.
His return is crucial as Arsenal gears up for a potential Champions League quarter-final. The Gunners hold a commanding lead over PSV after a 7-1 first-leg victory, and having Saka available for the decisive fixtures ahead could significantly boost their title ambitions.
Arsenal remains optimistic that their star winger will soon be back on the pitch. With key domestic and European matches approaching, Saka’s return could be perfectly timed to strengthen the team’s push for silverware this season.