Bukayo Saka available to start for Arsenal vs Fulham | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Bukayo Saka is ready to make his on-field comeback, and the winger could even start against Fulham on Tuesday night.

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After more than three months on the sidelines, Bukayo Saka is right on the verge of an injury comeback, and he could even be closer to his first start back than many expected.

“Bukayo is ready to go,” Mikel Arteta said in his press conference on Monday. “The ‘careful’ thing is already done. Now it’s about putting him on the grass in the right moments, but he’s pushing, because he really wants it.

“We have respected the timeframe, we have done everything, and we even had to hold him back! He’s ready to go.”

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As for whether Saka could be in the lineup on Tuesday night, Arteta seemed positive about the prospect.

“Yeah (he could start against Fulham),” Arteta confirmed. “It’s another massive weapon that we have with him, we know the impact that he’s had in the team and how important his role and his contribution is to our success. Great to have him back.”

Arteta wouldn’t be drawn on whether Saka actually will be in the starting lineup for the Fulham game, but the suggestion that he could be was clear.

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Arsenal fans will be delighted to see Saka back in the squad, let alone back in the lineup.

The timing is very good, with the Gunners having a couple of Premier League matches this week before the Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid kick off next Tuesday.

If Saka can get warmed up over the next couple of matches, he should then be in a good position to contribute positively in the quarter-final tie.

The 23-year-old has 23 goals and assists in 24 games for Arsenal this season, and he’ll want to boost those numbers in the final two months of the current campaign.