New Bukayo Saka return date means he’ll miss key Arsenal matches | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka is set to return from injury in the second half of March, which likely means he won’t feature for Arsenal until April.

Photo via Arsenal.com

There have been mixed reports around Bukayo Saka’s injury in recent days, and James McNicholas is the latest to weigh in for The Athletic.

McNicholas writes that Saka is currently pencilled in to return in the second half of March, with Gabriel Martinelli to return in a similar timeframe.

Though given Martinelli’s shorter layoff, the report suggests he may be better placed to make an immediate impact on the pitch.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Realistically, a return in the second half of March probably means a comeback in April. Arsenal only have one game after the midpoint in March, playing against Chelsea on March 16th.

After that, the Premier League breaks for a couple of internationals. It’s not impossible Saka could be called up by England, though you’d hope new boss Thomas Tuchel wouldn’t rush the winger along. But Arsenal won’t play another fixture until April 1st.

Unfortunately, that means Saka and perhaps Martinelli are likely to miss Arsenal’s early March games against Manchester United and in the Champions League last-16.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The Chelsea game is particularly relevant for Martinelli’s return, because Raheem Sterling will be ineligible against his parent club.

Arsenal currently have enough players to field a front three for the coming games, but if no one returns from injury, they’d have to turn to the academy for the Chelsea match.