Arsenal are set to welcome back Bukayo Saka after a month-long absence due to an Achilles injury, with the England international expected to feature in the squad for the Premier League clash against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The winger has missed Arsenal’s last five matches across all competitions, a run that includes three league defeats, as Mikel Arteta’s side looks to recover ground in the title race after losing top spot to Manchester City.
Speaking ahead of the Newcastle fixture, Arteta confirmed Saka’s likely return, stating: “Bukayo is probably going to be in the squad. So, good news.” The 24-year-old’s availability provides a significant boost to Arsenal’s attacking options as they aim to reignite their challenge for the Premier League title.
Saka, who wears the number 7 shirt for Arsenal, joined the club’s academy at Hale End in 2010 at the age of eight and made his first-team debut in November 2018 against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League. He scored his first Arsenal goal a year later in September 2019 against Eintracht Frankfurt, likewise in the Europa League.
Since breaking into the senior squad, Saka has become one of the most consistent performers in Arteta’s system. He was named Arsenal Player of the Year for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, and in 2022/23 he contributed 27 goal involvements as the Gunners finished second in the Premier League.
The following season, Saka reached new heights, finishing as Arsenal’s top scorer in both the Premier League (16 goals) and all competitions (20 goals) in 2023/24, while also providing nine league assists and four in the Champions League. He captained the side for the first time in a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United and celebrated his 200th appearance for the club shortly after, becoming the fourth-youngest player to reach that milestone in Arsenal’s history.
His 2024/25 campaign began strongly, with 10 assists in his first 13 Premier League matches before a hamstring injury in December 2024 interrupted his progress. He returned to action with an immediate impact, scoring just seven minutes into his comeback against Fulham, and later netted in Arsenal’s famous Champions League victory over Real Madrid, chipping Thibaut Courtois to help secure a place in the semi-finals.
On the international stage, Saka has been a regular for England since his senior debut in October 2020. He represented the Three Lions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring three goals as England reached the quarter-finals.
Arteta has acknowledged the importance of Saka’s return not only for his goal threat but also for the balance and creativity he brings to the team’s attacking play. The manager has been navigating a difficult period without the winger, with Arsenal dropping points in key fixtures and seeing their lead at the top of the table diminish.
The upcoming match against Newcastle represents a critical opportunity for Arsenal to reset their title challenge. A win would restore pressure on Manchester City and reassert the Gunners’ credentials as genuine contenders.
Saka’s potential inclusion in the starting XI would be a major factor in that effort, given his ability to influence games from the right flank through dribbling, chance creation, and late runs into the box. His link-up play with teammates such as Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Jesus has been a hallmark of Arsenal’s most effective attacking sequences this season.
While the exact extent of his match fitness remains to be seen, Arteta has indicated that Saka will be involved in some capacity, whether from the start or as an impact substitute. The manager’s cautious optimism reflects the club’s priority of managing the player’s workload carefully following his injury layoff.
For Arsenal, the return of one of their most influential players comes at a pivotal moment. With the Premier League title race entering its decisive phase, having Saka fit and available could prove decisive in the coming weeks.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Arsenal is their Premier League match against Newcastle United on Saturday, April 26, 2026, at the Emirates Stadium, where Bukayo Saka is expected to be included in the matchday squad following his recovery from an Achilles injury.
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