Bukayo Saka fit after injury and could play against Fulham

SourceBBC

-

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is fit again after missing three months with injury, says manager Mikel Arteta.

The England international had surgery on a hamstring problem suffered in Arsenal’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace on 21 December.

Saka, who has scored nine goals and contributed 10 assists in 24 games in all competitions for Arsenal this season, could feature in Tuesday’s league meeting with Fulham at Emirates Stadium.

“Bukayo Saka is ready to go,” said Arteta.

“All the careful things are already done. Now it’s about putting him on 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.

“Bukayo is a massive weapon that we have. We know the impact he has in the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success.”

Arsenal are second in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool with nine games remaining.

Defender Riccardo Calafiori faces a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained on international duty for Italy against Germany on 20 March.

“It could have been much worse,” said Arteta.

“Hopefully it’s going to be a matter of weeks, but we have to see how the injury evolves.”

Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s new sporting director, was present at Monday’s news conference after he was named as Edu’s successor this week.

Arteta said the Italian Berta had “many options” from other clubs but was “positive” about joining Arsenal.