Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has sparked excitement among fans with a social media post suggesting he is edging closer to a return from a significant hamstring injury. The England international has been out of action since December after undergoing surgery but has now traveled with the squad to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp.
While Saka has not yet participated in full team training, he has been spotted working individually in the gym in images shared by the club. Adding to the anticipation, he posted a series of pictures on Instagram, captioned solely with a sand timer emoji – an apparent hint that his comeback is on the horizon.
Targeting a march return amid key fixtures
The 23-year-old is reportedly aiming to be back in action in early March, a timeline that coincides with Arsenal’s crucial Champions League last-16 tie during the first week of the month. In addition to the European challenge, the Gunners face a demanding domestic schedule, with Premier League clashes against Manchester United and Chelsea also approaching.
Prior to his injury setback, Saka had been enjoying an exceptional season. In just 16 league appearances before Christmas, he had already provided ten assists, positioning himself as a contender to break the Premier League’s single-season assist record, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. However, having already missed seven league matches – and likely a few more – his chances of reaching that milestone have been significantly reduced.
Arsenal’s injury concerns open doors for young talent
Saka’s absence has paved the way for promising youngster Ethan Nwaneri to gain valuable first-team experience. The teenage prospect has been given more opportunities in recent weeks, a trend that is expected to continue after another injury blow for Arsenal.
Gabriel Martinelli, a key attacking option for Mikel Arteta, suffered a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s recent defeat to Newcastle United. The Brazilian is anticipated to be sidelined for at least a month, further testing the squad’s depth as they navigate a crucial phase of the season.
With Saka’s return seemingly not far off, Arsenal supporters will be hopeful that he can quickly regain his form and provide a boost in the team’s pursuit of success on multiple fronts.
