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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Arsenal: Bukayo Saka returns to training as Gunners get massive boost ahead of Real Madrid clash

Arsenal boost: Bukayo Saka has delivered a positive fitness update Arsenal - (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has returned to full training ahead of games against Fulham, Everton and Real Madrid.

Saka has been out of action since December after undergoing surgery for a torn hamstring he suffered during the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Though, he is nearing a return after taking to social media on Thursday afternoon to upload an image of him from a training session with a caption that reads: “Hello again.”

Standard Sport understands that whilst the club are, understandably, taking things carefully with Saka, he could be in the matchday squad for Tuesday night’s home clash with Fulham in the Premier League.

Naturally, Arsenal supporters will also have one eye on the upcoming Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid.

The first leg takes place at the Emirates Stadium on April 8 and the reverse fixture in Spain the following week.

Saka is expected to be fit for that after Mikel Arteta confirmed the plan was to increase the 23-year-old’s workload this week while the rest of the Arsenal squad were away on international duty.

“He is going to be here [at the Arsenal training ground], hopefully more with ball at his feet than he has had,” said Arteta.

“That will mean he is passing the ball and shooting and running and everything. He has done quite a lot already on the pitch working on his own.

"Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.

"He’s getting closer, he’s stepping up and making a very good progress I would say. So, let’s see when we start to throw him in with the team, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly.”

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