“All careful things have already been done. Now it is about putting him on the grass at the right time, but he pushes because he really wants that.
“We respected the timeline and we did everything.
“Bukayo is a huge weapon that we have. We know the impact he has in the team and how important his role and contribution to our success is.”
Saka has scored five league goals this season, while his 10 assists are still second in the division despite his long resignation.
Bukayo Saka has the most target contributions for Arsenal this season, even though it has been injured in the last three months.
22 g/A in 24 performances 🔥
A welcome return 👋 pic.twitter.com/x9quqesdmz
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 31, 2025
As such, it would be a huge boost for an arsenal attack that was consistently impenetable without him if he could act against Fulham. The Gunners are without winning in their last three meetings with the side of Marco Silva and were held in Craven Cottage in December to a 1-1 draw.
Arteta added to the impact of his potential return: “It is more the energy he conveys, that he has missed the thing that he likes most in his life, that is to be in the team, to play, train and compete at the highest level. The fact that he can get in the most important part of the season is a massive boost for him and the team.
“He did not play for three months, but has played for the past 48 months. So three in 48 is a very small percentage.
“I haven’t done the household duties for a week, but I did it for 10 years, so I know what to do, I know how to support it, and I am smart enough to keep that. The habit is certainly there, so don’t think about it.”
However, the Beslike News is not all good for Arsenal.
Defender Riccardo Calafiori suffered knee and muscle injuries during the international duty with Italy, and he will miss the first stage against Madrid.
“It’s really a shame how it happened,” said Arteta about that setback. “It could have been worse, so hopefully it will be a matter of weeks, but we will have to see how that injury evolves.
“One was a staircase, and the other was a really bad turning turn when he slips with the surface. And the other was muscular, but I mean, the most important two injuries he had, very little to do, very unfortunate.”
Jurrien Timber spent both competitions for the Netherlands during the international break due to illness, but he should be able to appear against Fulham.
Arteta added: “Jurien was sick for a long period of time, very bad. He felt much better in recent days, so he is available.”
