Arsenal have been handed a massive boost ahead of their return to Premier League action against Fulham next Tuesday.
According to the BBC, the Gunners talisman Bukayo Saka has returned to first-team training and could mark his long-awaited return in the crunch London derby.
The 23-year-old winger has been pictured in full training for the first time since picking up a hamstring injury in the 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace in December.
Saka was forced off in pain and later had to go under the knife to correct the issue, keeping him out of the subsequent 19 games across all competitions.
Arsenal have struggled in Saka’s absence. They are 12 points behind runaway league leaders Liverpool and were knocked out of the FA Cup and League Cup.
The Gunners have been desperately short of attacking options over the past couple of months, forcing Arteta to opt for makeshift options in the final third.
With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz ruled out for the remainder of the season, Arteta has been forced to deploy Mikel Merino as a false nine while Ethan Nwaneri has replaced Saka on the right flank.
However, the Gunners have been offered a reprieve, with Saka gradually returning to full fitness over the international break.
His return offers a timely boost for Arteta’s side heading into the run-in.
Liverpool may be out of sight in the Premier League title race, but the Gunners still have a fighting chance in the Champions League as they prepare for a quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.
Arteta is cautious about rushing Saka back to action, and rightly so.
However, the England international could be handed game time against Fulham to boost his sharpness ahead of the Champions League clash.
Before his injury, Saka was in sensational form for Arsenal, notching nine goals and 13 assists in 24 games across all competitions.
