“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.”
Saka has scored five league goals this season, while his 10 assists still rank second in the division despite his long lay-off.
Bukayo Saka has the most goal contributions this season for Arsenal, despite being out injured for the last three months.
22 g/a in 24 appearances 🔥
A welcome return 👋 pic.twitter.com/X9QuqeSdmZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 31, 2025
As such, it would be a massive boost to an Arsenal attack that has consistently lacked incisiveness without him if he could feature against Fulham. The Gunners are winless in their last three meetings with Marco Silva’s side and were held to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in December.
On the impact of his potential return, Arteta added: “It’s more the energy that he transmits, that he’s missed the thing that he loves the most in his life, which is to be around the team, to play, to train, and to compete at the highest level. The fact that he’s able to come in the most important part of the season is a massive boost for him and the team as well.
“He hasn’t played for three months, but has played for the last 48 months. So three in 48 is a very small percentage.
“I haven’t done the housekeeping duties for a week, but I’ve done it for 10 years, so I know what to do, I know how to sustain it, and I’m clever enough to maintain that. The habit is certainly there, so don’t think about that.”
The injury news is not all good for Arsenal, however.
Defender Riccardo Calafiori suffered knee and muscle injuries while on international duty with Italy, and he will miss the first leg against Madrid as a result.
“It’s really unfortunate the way it happened,” Arteta said of that setback. “It could have been worse, so hopefully, it will be a matter of weeks, but we’ll have to see how that injury evolves.
“One was a kick, and the other was a really bad turn twist when he slips with the surface. And the other one was muscular, but, I mean, the main two injuries that he had, very little to do, very unfortunate.”
Jurrien Timber sat out both games for the Netherlands during the international break through illness, but he should be able to feature against Fulham.
Arteta added: “Jurien was ill for a long period, quite badly. He’s felt much better in the last few days, so he’s available.”
