Arsenal pencil in Bukayo Saka return date after Gunners attacker returns to training after hamstring surgery

The 23-year-old winger has been sidelined since December, after suffering the injury in the first half of Arsenal’s 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace. According to the BBC, Arsenal are considering naming Saka in the squad for their Premier League match against Fulham next week. However, the club is proceeding cautiously with his reintegration into competitive matches and will make a final decision closer to the matchday.

If Saka's return follows the expected timeline, he is also likely to be fit for Arsenal’s crucial Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in April. Carlo Ancelotti's men will visit the Emirates on April 8 for the first leg, with the return set for the Santiago Bernabeu a week later.

Saka had been in sensational form until he got injured, as he has notched up five goals and 10 assists in just 16 league appearances. He has also been instrumental in Arsenal’s Champions League campaign, scoring four goals and providing two assists before his injury.

As Saka edges closer to a return, Arsenal are also looking to secure his long-term future at the club. Saka’s current deal, signed in 2022, earns him a reported £10 million per season. However, his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027, and Arsenal are eager to tie him down to a longer deal.