Arsenal are hopeful that Bukayo Saka will be available for selection in their upcoming match next Tuesday following the international break. The winger has been sidelined for over three months, having sustained an injury during a game in December. His absence has left a considerable void in the squad, with the Gunners missing his attacking flair and creativity in crucial matches.
Saka remains an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s team, and despite missing a significant portion of the season, he continues to rank among the club’s top goal scorers and assist providers. His return would provide a significant boost to Arsenal as they push towards the latter stages of the campaign. However, the club are proceeding with caution to ensure he makes a full recovery before returning to competitive action.
Arsenal have been closely monitoring his progress, and there is growing optimism that he could be available for selection in their next match. Journalist Charles Watts, writing in his Daily Briefing column, provided an update on the winger’s fitness and the likelihood of his return.
He stated:
“He has been stepping up his work with the ball during the international break, and the hope is he will be deemed fit enough to be named in the squad for next week’s meeting with Fulham.
“Arsenal will be very cautious with Saka, and the decision as to whether he will be involved on Tuesday night will be a late one. However, there is a growing belief he could be included if things go well at the training ground between now and then.”
Given the crucial stage of the season, Arsenal will be eager to have Saka back in the squad as soon as possible. His presence on the pitch could be vital in their push for silverware or a strong finish in the league. However, while the player himself will undoubtedly be keen to return to action, the club must ensure that his recovery is managed carefully. Rushing him back too soon could risk aggravating his injury, potentially sidelining him for an extended period once again.
The decision on whether Saka will feature next week will likely be made closer to the matchday, depending on his progress in training. If he is deemed fit, his return would provide Arsenal with a much-needed attacking boost at a crucial point in the season.
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I hope they don’t rush him back to early. Having overplayed him in the last three seasons, I hope the club don’t compound that by rushing him back.
Learn your lessons Arteta, and bring him back slowly.
How early is too early? I guess we’ll all know if he picks up another injury soon. How many minutes is too many minutes? I guess we know now for Bukayo. MA really needs a better crystal ball and a different model for each individual player. They were a popular item and sold out too quickly.
Here’s the thing. No-one knows for certain the optimal or maximum amount of time any given player should play. This is an area of ongoing research and decisions have to be individualised. Decision-making about how many minutes should be played is not an exact science.
There are players who have played much few minutes than Saka that have suffered injuries. Unfortunately, we have a number of loudmouths who criticise and pontificate on issues which they do not understand.
David,
Here’s the thing, you say that players who have played less minutes have picked up injury’s which I totally agree with.
But don’t tell me that if a player who is overplayed, which in Saka’s case is obvious to anyone who want’s to open their eyes and look,
the odds of them picking up a long term injury is increased.
Where Saka is concerned, the manager’s over reliance on him and not getting better cover is also clear to see.
I hope that if Saka is rushed back, he doesn’t get injured again. But if it happens and it doe’s, no doubt you’ll give I don’t know how many posts on here defending the manager in all kinds of different ways. Something you’re pretty consistent at doing.
And you don’t need to be a medical expert, to see that overplaying said player is eventually going to catch up with him.
How’s that for a loud mouth. 🙄🤦♂️🤷♂️
I wouldnt want Arsenal to rush in Saka. Let him recover fully, be well rested and than start playing. We are almost certain of making it to the top 4, so no need to rush him back in the PL matches. what is of importance is the CL clash against Madrid, where Arsenal will have to be at their best to progress to the semi finals and where Saka will be needed. so let him rest and recover fully to be fit for the CL match.
it is hard to see Arsenal beating this Real team over two legs, near impossible without our best player Saka
there are other factors that just Saka goals here
these two matches are not going to be goal fests, if they are then Real will out gun us for sure, Saka or no Saka
I fully expect Arteta to abandon his possession based game in favour of containing Real and not letting them close to our goal, expect Arteta to allow Real have the ball, a rear guard action from the start (think the last season vs Man C)
why is that relevant to Saka selection?
out of possession mid-block press requires 100% switched on and 100% energy in the defensive patterns – two things Saka will naturally not be so sharp at after >3months without football
so starting Saka may not fit tactically anyway – perhaps better suited to late game nicking a goal with his sensational skill set
1 – 0 to the Arsenal with Saka 85th minute winner to take to the Bernabeu