Arteta dealt injury blow with Arsenal “difference maker” out for “weeks”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been dealt an injury blow, as it has been revealed that a “difference maker” in his squad will be out for “weeks”.

Bukayo Saka returns in boost for Arsenal

Star winger Bukayo Saka had been sidelined since December with a hamstring injury, but in a major boost for Arteta, the England international has returned to the fold and just in time for their looming Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

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The Gunners have set their sights on a new forward.

A good run in Europe is Arsenal’s only chance to make anything of this otherwise disappointing campaign overall, with the Gunners all but out of the Premier League title race as Liverpool seize a huge gap at the top of the table.

Saka, who’s racked up an incredible nine goals and 14 assists in all competitions for the north Londoners this season, despite missing many games lately, will provide a serious injection of threat on the right-hand side and give Arsenal a much greater chance of getting past Real.

“Bukayo is ready to go,” said Arteta in Arsenal’s pre-match press conference before Fulham.

“All the careful things he’s already done. So now it’s about putting him in 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 have had to hold him back even. So he’s ready to go.

“It’s another massive weapon that we have with him. We know the impact that he’s had on the team and how important his role and his contribution are to our success. So it’s great to have him back.”

The £195,000-per-week star’s return also helps to mitigate the losses of fellow attackers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, who are both out of action with long-term injuries.

Havertz will miss the remainder of 2024/2025 after a hamstring injury, while some reports suggest Arsenal won’t have Jesus back until 2026.

Riccardo Calafori out for “weeks” after Arsenal injury update

Unfortunately for Arteta, amid Saka’s comeback, there is some bad news regarding defender Riccardo Calafiori.

The centre-back picked up an injury on international duty with Italy, and it is now expected that Calafiori will be out for “weeks” at Arsenal. Sharing an update, Arteta also suggests it could be longer, although he’s hoping that won’t be the case.

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

“It was really unfortunate the way it happened, but it could have been much worse, so hopefully it’s going to be a matter of weeks. But we’ll have to see how that injury evolves.

“They’re two injuries that were picked up with the national team. One, it was a kick, and the other one is a really bad turn, twist when he slips with the surface. And the other one, it was muscle. But the main two injuries that he had, the was very little he could do, so very unfortunate.”

The £42m signing from Bologna last summer has proved very useful for Arteta when fit and available, with Football Analyst Ben Mattinson even calling him a “difference maker” in attack at times.

Over 26 appearances in all competitions, Calafiori has helped to provide quality at both left-back and centre-back, but Arteta will be hoping he’s a bit more lucky next season when it comes to availability.