Martin Odegaard reveals what Bukayo Saka is doing ‘every day’ in Arsenal training amid injury return hope

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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has said he is hopeful that Bukayo Saka will make a return from his hamstring injury soon.

The winger has been out of action since mid-December, picking up an issue in the middle of a clash with Crystal Palace.

It was revealed that Bukayo Saka had torn his hamstring, with surgery required to help the star make a full recovery.

A long lay-off has followed, though recent images showed Saka returning to training, albeit not in a full capacity yet.

While Gabriel Martinelli recently returned from injury, there will need to be a slightly longer wait for Arsenal to see his teammate back in action.

With an international break coming up, there is growing hope that Bukayo Saka could be back after the two-week spell off.

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Martin Odegaard gives update on Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s injury

With Bukayo Saka still facing a spell on the sidelines, fans are eagerly awaiting when he could return to the team.

The Arsenal academy graduate has long been a star of the team, pushing them on when all else feels as though it is going against them.

As Arsenal prepare for a match with Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, many will want Saka back in time for those games.

Club captain Martin Odegaard has given a positive update in the Arsenal programme, giving some insight into the training return for the star.

He said: “It was great to see Gabi [Gabriel Martinelli] come back from injury last week against Man United, and hopefully Bukayo won’t be too far behind him.

“He’s around us every day at Sobha, and he’s so determined to come back as soon as he can. I know what it’s like when you feel you are so close to being able to play, but not quite there, you feel you are ready.

“But he just has to make sure he takes his time and is fully sharp when he does get back out on the pitch. He’s getting closer, and we want to see him back as well of course because losing his qualities is a big miss for any team.”

It shows that Saka is certainly able to impact the group by being around them for most of the training sessions, even if he isn’t fully involved yet.

The news of him getting closer is good, though Arsenal will be hoping it’s one that can see him return in the weeks ahead.

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When could Bukayo Saka return from injury for Arsenal?

As it stands, Bukayo Saka isn’t expected to return to the first-team reckoning until after the international break, meaning he will miss out against Chelsea.

Despite that, the break is longer than two weeks, with a return to action coming on the first of April instead of March.

That could give some extra time for Saka to feature against Fulham in the first Premier League match back from the break.

Beyond that, games against Everton and Brentford come either side of Champions League clashes with Real Madrid – the matches that will be targeted for a definite return.

If Saka is able to feature in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium or even the second leg at the Bernabeu, then the Gunners may have a better chance.

It remains to be seen if he will be fit in time, but it’s certainly what Arsenal are hoping for.