Arsenal could yet have Bukayo Saka back for Saturday’s game against Newcastle United, though the latest reports suggest Atletico Madrid is a more likely target.
There is an outside chance Bukayo Saka could return for Arsenal against Newcastle United on Saturday, but for now it appears more likely that his comeback will come a few days later.
Saka has missed Arsenal’s last four games with an Achilles problem, and there has been little concrete information from the club on his condition, with Mikel Arteta keeping his updates deliberately vague.
This week, a number of journalists have suggested Saka is closing in on a return. The i has gone as far as to say there is an “outside chance” he could be involved in the 5.30pm kick-off against Newcastle.
Even so, the more realistic target appears to be the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on 29 April.
Arsenal are also hoping to bring Jurrien Timber back into the squad within the next week, while Riccardo Calafiori is expected back in the same period, which would offer Arteta a significant boost as they enter a period of must-win games.
With just five league games remaining, Arsenal slipped to second place on Wednesday night for the first time in more than 200 days after Manchester City beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor to move top on goals scored.
From an Arsenal perspective, the small consolation was that City only scored once, leaving the two sides level on a goal difference of +37.
With City having now made up their game in hand, they are set to have another by the end of the weekend as they play in their FA Cup semi final against Southampton, instead.
They will then have nine free days before they travel to Everton the league.
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