Mikel Arteta has confirmed Bukayo Saka is in contention to start for Arsenal at home to Fulham on Tuesday after hamstring surgery. The England forward has not played since rupturing a hamstring in the Premier League victory over Crystal Palace in December, but has been stepping up his return over the international break and took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.
“Bukayo is ready to go,” Arteta said. “The careful thing is 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 time frame, we have done everything and we have to hold him back even.”
With Liverpool facing Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, Arsenal have an opportunity to go nine points behind the leaders, although they have not beaten Fulham in their past three attempts. Asked whether Saka’s return could help to reignite their title challenge, Arsenal’s manager said: “It’s more the energy he transmits, that he’s missed the thing 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. That he’s able to come in the most important part of the season is a massive boost for him and the team”
Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta, was introduced to the media on Monday having been confirmed as Edu’s replacement on Sunday. He will be at the Fulham game and Arteta saidhe was excited to work with the man who made his reputation at Atlético Madrid.
“Straight away the words that come out are always winning, improving and demanding,” Arteta said. “Very clear vision of what he wants to do. He was so willing to join us, which is a very positive thing as well because he has many other possibilities.
“Now it’s about us giving him the support and the understanding of the situation and context straight away and for him to start to do what he’s already done for many, many years at the highest level, which has been very impressive.”
