Arsenal fans have reason to be hopeful again as Bukayo Saka returned to full training this week for the first time since December. The 23-year-old winger, who has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury, is nearing a comeback at a crucial time for the Gunners.
Arsenal’s season has struggled without Saka, with their title hopes slipping away as Liverpool leads the Premier League by a staggering 12 points. Injuries have taken a toll, and Saka’s absence has been keenly felt, with the team dropping points in matches where his spark could have made all the difference. The Gunners are also out of the FA Cup, leaving their focus squarely on the Champions League.
The silver lining, however, is the upcoming Champions League quarter-finals in April, where Arsenal is set to face the mighty Real Madrid. The return of Saka could be the catalyst the team needs to make a serious push in Europe’s most prestigious competition. Arsenal has looked like a different team with the England international on the pitch, providing an explosive presence in attack that Mikel Arteta’s relatively cautious system often lacks. Saka’s impact is undeniable, with 22 goal contributions across all competitions this season alone.
The tie against Real Madrid will be a tough test. The Spanish giants narrowly scraped through the Champions League Round of 16, defeating Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout. However, Madrid’s high-powered frontline, featuring Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham, may find Arsenal’s defense more difficult to break down with Saka back in the lineup. His ability to drive the team forward with pace and directness could be the key to unlocking Madrid’s defense.
While Saka’s match fitness is still uncertain, and Kai Havertz will remain unavailable for both legs against Madrid, Arsenal supporters will be praying that their star winger can return to form quickly. A victory over Real Madrid would be monumental for Arsenal, as they aim to capture the one trophy that has eluded them for decades: the Champions League. This would eclipse any other achievement in the club’s history, even surpassing Arsène Wenger’s near-miss in 2006.
Real Madrid remains a formidable opponent, but with Bukayo Saka back in the fold, Arsenal’s chances of pulling off a shock upset and advancing to the next stage look much brighter. Can Saka save Arsenal’s season? With him on the pitch, anything is possible.
