Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stated that Bukayo Saka is ready to go and could be in action against Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday night, Afrosport reports.
Saka has not played since December after needing surgery on a hamstring tear.
In the 23-year-old’s absence, the Gunners have fallen 12 points behind leaders Liverpool in league and have been knocked out of the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
His return will therefore be a boost especially as Arsenal prepare to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
“Bukayo Saka is ready to go,” Arteta said. “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. He is ready to go.”
“Bukayo is a massive weapon that we have. We know the impact he has in the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success. It’s great to have him back again.”
Arteta further added on the return of Saka: “It is the energy that he transmits. He has missed the thing that he loves the most in his life – which is to be around the team, to play, train and compete at the highest level.
“The fact that he is able to come in the most important part of the season is a massive boost for him and the team as well.
“It’s important to get it out of your head that you haven’t played for three months but he has played for the last 48 months. And three in 48 is a small percentage. So the habit is there.”
“He’s ready to go.”
Mikel on Bukayo Saka’s availability ahead of our Fulham clash
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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 31, 2025
Meanwhile, Arsenal appointed Andrea Berta as the new sporting director from Atletico Madrid, and Arteta sees him a plus for the club.
“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,” he stated.
“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.”
Berta will likely be tasked with finding a centre forward in the summer with Arsenal’s leading attacking options all having multiple spells on the sidelines.
