Mikel Arteta has issued an update on the injury status of Bukayo Saka, because the Arsenal wing player has missed almost three months of action with a hamstring problem.
Saka, 23, rose the injury on December 21 during Arsenal's 5-1 thrashing from Crystal Palace in Selhurst Park. He then underwent surgery on December 29, where the recovery period was estimated between 10 and 12 weeks.
But a month ago it was reported that Saka would be out for eight weeks, which would ever place his return date in the middle of April.
However, Arteta has revealed that his star is already back on the grass and does individual exercises, and that the next step is to involve Saka in competitive first team training.
He was able to return to light training during the club's trip to Dubai last month and completed his strength and conditioning training as normal.
'He will be here [at the Arsenal training ground]Hopefully more with ball at his feet than he had, “said Arteta.
“That means he passes the ball and shoot and run and such. He has already done quite a bit on the field to work alone.
'Then we have to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with it.
'He is getting closer, he comes up and makes a very good progress that I would say. So let's see when we start throwing him in with the team, how he responds and how he can get fit quickly. '
Arsenal's first stage against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League will be at the Emirates Stadium on 8 April. Eight days later they travel to the Spanish capital for the second stage.
Based on his current recovery time line, it will be a good call to see if Saka will be back in time for both legs.
But if the Gunners succeed in going to the semi -final without him, it is likely that Saka will return for these competitions, which will come on April 29 and May 6.
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