Bukayo Saka ‘good to go’ confirms Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after three-month spell out with injury | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka is back in contention for the first time since December after recovering from his hamstring injury.

Saka has not played for the Gunners in three months after sustaining the injury which required him to undergo surgery.

But the winger returned to training over the international break and Arsenal boss Arteta says he could even start against Fulham on Tuesday.

“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.”

Saka’s return comes as a huge boost for Arsenal in their hopes of winning the Champions League too, with the Gunners facing Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the competition in April.

The 23-year-old was in fine form for Arsenal prior to his injury, scoring nine goals and setting up another 14 in all competitions.

And Arteta says he is delighted to finally have him back available.

“Bukayo is a massive weapon that we have,” he continued.

“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.”

Next up for Arsenal in the Premier League is a clash with London rivals Fulham, who held the Gunners to a 1-1 draw earlier this season at Craven Cottage.

Defender Riccardo Calafiori looks set to miss the game, however, after sustaining a knee injury while playing for Italy.

“Calafiori unfortunately picked up an injury with the national team,” Arteta said.

“Unfortunate but lucky it wasn’t much worse. Hopefully it’s a matter of weeks.”

Jurrien Timber has trained however having missed out for the Netherlands over the international break because of illness.