BBC journalist shares Bukayo Saka return twist out of Arsenal

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka hasn’t featured under Mikel Arteta since their win at Crystal Palace on December 21st, but his return to first-team training has sparked plenty of speculation as to when he’ll finally return.

Bukayo Saka back in Arsenal training ahead of Real Madrid

The £195,000-per-week star is a sore miss when unfit and unavailable, as some results have proven over the last few months, with Arsenal’s struggles to break down teams in the low-block summing up their serious need for Saka.

His haul of nine goals and 13 assists so far this season, not to mention boasting the most key passes per 90 out of any Premier League player on average (WhoScored), highlights just how imperative the forward is to Arsenal’s attacking game.

Arteta has a crucial Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid on the horizon – two European legs which could make or break their season – and having Saka back in the fold would be a major boost for the north Londoners.

Luckily for the Gunners, his return won’t be far off, as the 23-year-old was pictured back in full first-team training this week.

Fabrizio Romano, alongside other credible media sources, have also reported that Saka is set to be back in time to face Real, which comes as some very good news for Arteta.

New sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly thinking about signing an alternative to Saka this summer, given just how much the Hale End superstar’s absence has affected Arsenal, but for now, his imminent return is a welcome boost.

BBC journalist shares Bukayo Saka return twist out of Arsenal

Now, as reported by BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, it is believed the attacking ace could even return to the starting eleven before their clash with Real.

Indeed, the correspondent wrote on X that Saka may even feature for Arsenal against Fulham early next week

. However, while they’re not ruling this out, medics will also show caution.

With nothing left to play for in the top flight, as Liverpool are seemingly too far out in front to catch at this point, we believe Arteta quite simply must ease Saka back into the fold ahead of their blockbuster face-off against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real in Europe.

Taking risks with the Englishman before their pivotal European tie would be needless, as Saka’s presence could be crucial in determining whether Arteta’s side can make a success of this campaign with an impressive run in the Champions League.