Arsenal may have been handed a boost in their current injury crisis, as it appears that Bukayo Saka is set to make a quick return to action.
The winger missed a Premier League game for the first time in over two years as Arsenal beat Manchester City, having failed to recover from an injury he picked up in the Champions League against RC Lens.
He has also pulled out of the England squad for this International break, but any fears over his injury being a long-term one may now be alleviated.
Saka could return for Chelsea trip
A report from The Evening Standard has now claimed that both Arsenal and Saka are “optimistic” that the 22-year-old will be fit in time for a trip to Stamford Bridge.
Saka has scored and assisted on both his last two trips to face Chelsea, and with Mauricio Pochettino’s side starting to find form, it will be another tough test for Mikel Arteta’s team.
Saka’s return will be a welcome boost, and he could finally line up alongside Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli for the first time this season.
Saka is still ruled out for England duty, and is not yet training, but the hope is that he can return to training and build up his fitness in time to face Arsenal’s London rivals.
Arsenal’s injured front three
In the first half of last season, Arsenal were able to use the same front three of Jesus, Martinelli and Saka in nearly every Premier League game before the World Cup.
Now, the three are yet to play together in this campaign. Jesus began the season injured, before returning as soon as Martinelli picked up an injury.
Martinelli came off the bench to score the winner against Man City, making his return in the first game Saka missed, and Arteta may bemoan his luck that the three have not been able to combine together again.
Arsenal do have depth to cope in Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz, but if this first-choice attack can all line up together, it may prove too much for Chelsea to handle.
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