Mikel Arteta points five-word Bukayo Saka harm replace as Arsenal put together for Premier League conflict with Fulham

On Mar 31, 2025

Saka hasn’t played since December after suffering injury against Crystal Palace
He is set to return to action with the Gunners this week after his lengthy absence
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Published: 12:23, 31 March 2025 | Updated: 12:43, 31 March 2025

Bukayo Saka will make his return to action for the first time in more than three months when Arsenal welcome Fulham to the Emirates on Tuesday night, Mikel Arteta has confirmed.

The 23-year-old, who sustained a hamstring injury in December that required surgery, could even be given the nod from the start against the Cottagers.

Saka has been absent from the north London club’s last 19 matches in all competitions, and has proven to be a hammer blow to their Premier League title hopes. Arsenal trail leaders Liverpool by 12 points and were knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the period Saka has been missing.

Arteta has been desperately short of options in attack, with Mikel Merino deputising as a false nine in the absence of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz – who are both ruled out for the season – and 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri playing on the right wing.

With a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on the horizon, the England international’s return has come as welcome news to all associated with the club. However, Saka may be thrust straight into the action on Tuesday night, as Arteta is confident he has sufficiently recovered from his issue.

‘Bukayo is ready to go,’ said Arteta. ‘All the careful things are already done so it’s now about putting him on the grass in the right moments but he is pushing because he wants it.

Mikel Arteta has declared that Bukayo Saka is ‘ready to go’ and could even start against Fulham

The Englishman has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace in December

‘We have respected the time frame, we have done everything, we had to hold him back even. So he’s ready to go.’

Saka was pictured in first-team training last week. He joined the first-team squad for their Dubai warm-weather training camp last month, but only took part in light gym work.

The winger has contributed nine goals and 13 assists this season across all competitions for the Gunners.

Arteta added: ‘It’s another massive weapon that we have with him. We know the impact he has on the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success so great to have him back obviously.’