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Arsenal missed Bukayo Saka against Manchester City, and have won just one of their five matches without him, while Mikel Merino has spent three months sidelined
Arsenal reportedly hope Bukayo Saka will return ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Saka, 24, has missed the Gunners' last five matches across all competitions since the Carabao Cup final with an Achilles injury. The issue ruled him out of their quarter-final tie with Sporting, but it is said there is hope the winger will be back for their trip to Madrid.
There could even be a possibility that Saka rejoins the squad in time for Newcastle United's visit to the Emirates Stadium. That fixture falls four days before the first leg of the semi-final.
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The Independent reported on Tuesday that Arsenal hope Saka will be back in the next week. After the recent returns of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, the trio could finally play together again.
If they do, it would be for the first time since the opening game of the season against Manchester United at Old Trafford. They came close at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
Odegaard, however, came off before the introduction of Havertz from the bench. The three of them also all came on as substitutes on the final day of last season.
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However, the last time they started together was the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in December 2024, which is now 16 months ago. Saka injured his hamstring in that match, and they have yet to be in the same starting line-up since.
Alongside the positive reports about Arsenal's number seven, there is also reportedly progress for Mikel Merino. Spanish newspaper AS say the player will be running again in the next two to three weeks.
He is already walking around the club's London Colney training ground without crutches. Photos from before the Manchester City match showed as much.
They claim there could even be a chance Merino returns before the end of the season. Their focus, though, is on the World Cup, which they say the Spain international should be ready for barring any setbacks.
Doctors are reportedly convinced he will be fit in time after inserting a screw in his heel. The player is said to share their view.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) head of the medical services is quoted as saying "we will have a clearer picture" on their fitness in the coming weeks. He is reportedly in constant contact with the players and optimistic about Merino.
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