Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is back training on the grass at London Colney as he enters the final stages of his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old is yet to take to the field in 2025 due to the severe issue, which he sustained in the 5-1 Premier League crushing of Crystal Palace in mid-December.
Saka would need surgery to correct the most serious injury of his career so far, but Mikel Arteta recently claimed that the Englishman had "a good chance" of coming back after the internationals.
Reports subsequently claimed that Saka was targeting the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid for a possible comeback, as well as eyeing a spot on the bench for earlier Premier League games with Everton and Fulham.
The winger's chances of being involved in the matchday squad against the Cottagers on April 1 have just received a massive boost, as he released a picture of himself in training outside on Thursday afternoon.
Saka releases training photo as Arsenal man steps up recovery
© Imago
Saka shared a photo on his Instagram page of him smiling and giving a thumbs up with the caption "Hello again", as he targets an imminent return to competitive action next week.
Should Saka make the squad to face Fulham next Tuesday, there is a strong chance that the England international will be given a second-half run-out for a long-awaited first appearance of 2025.
The Hale End graduate will also push to be involved against Everton on April 5, leaving Arteta with a huge decision to make over his involvement against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Gunners will host the reigning European champions in the first leg of their quarter-final on April 8, eight days before they venture to the Bernabeu for the return fixture.
In between both matches, Arsenal will host Brentford in a Premier League London derby, although the title race is more or less a foregone conclusion as they sit 12 points behind Liverpool in the rankings.
How big a boost is Saka's return?
Put it this way; Saka has been missing for Arsenal's last 12 Premier League matches, and the 23-year-old still boasts the joint second-most assists in the entire division.
Only Ballon d'Or favourite Mohamed Salah (17) has set up more goals in England's top flight than Saka, whose total of 10 is level with Fulham's Antonee Robinson, and his imminent return is the best news that Gooners have received all year.
Whether he is delivering another corner right on the money for Gabriel Magalhaes or cutting inside before letting fly with his left foot, Saka is nothing short of indispensable to this Arsenal side, whose creativity has suffered majorly in his absence.
Furthermore, Saka's deputy Ethan Nwaneri has struggled more in recent matches - as to be expected from a 17-year-old - although Arsenal fans have been warned by an expert that they are unlikely to see the best of Saka again until next season.
Ben Knapton
