Arsenal have received a “massive boost” with Bukayo Saka fit and available to start when Arsenal face Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday, says Mikel Arteta.
The 23-year-old has not featured since tearing his hamstring in December but Arsenal boss Arteta says he is “ready to go” against Fulham having rejoined full training.
“Bukayo is ready to go,” said Arteta on Monday.
“The careful things are already done, so now it’s about putting him on the grass in the right moments, but he is pushing because he really wants it.”
Saka had to undergo surgery on his hamstring after the injury, suffered during the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on December 21, but Arteta is confident about throwing him back in.
“We have respected the time-frame, we have done everything,” he said. “We had to hold him back even, so now he is ready to go.”
Asked if he could start against Marco Silva’s side, Arteta added: “Yeah, yeah.”
Saka’s return comes as Arsenal, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool in second place, gear up for their final nine Premier League games of the season and a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
“He is another massive weapon,” added Arteta. “We know the impact he has had on the team and how important his role and his contribution is to our success, so great to have him back.”
“It’s the energy he transmits, that he has missed the thing that he loves the most in his life, which is to be around the team, to play, to train and compete at the highest level.
“The fact he is able to come in the most important part of the season is a massive boost for him and to the team as well.
“You haven’t played for three months but you played for the last 48. Three in 48 is a very small percentage.
“I haven’t done the housekeeping duties for a week but I’ve done them for 10 years, so I know what to do, I know how to maintain it. The habit is there, so don’t think about that.”
Arteta confirmed Riccardo Calafiori is facing “weeks” out with a knee injury suffered on international duty with Italy, but Jurrien Timber is available having recovered from a bout of illness.
This news was originally published on this post .
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