Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka could return on Tuesday for Arsenal against Fulham in the Premier League, because he was out of action since December.
The international of England has made 24 performances in all competitions for Arsenal this term, but is no longer visible since their victory over Crystal Palace on December 21.
If he performs, he will help to help the Gunners to extend their undefeated line of three games in the Premier League, while they also get the chance to close the gap between them and leaders Liverpool to nine points, where the Reds only play on Wednesday.
“Bukayo Saka is ready to go,” said Arteta in his press conference.
“All careful things have already been done. Now it's all about placing him in the grass at the right time. But he pushes because he really wants that.
“We have respected the timeline and we did everything. He is ready to go.”
Saka has scored five goals and provided 10 assists in the Premier League, where only Mohamed Salah (17) set up this period more goals (Antonee Robinson and Mikkel Damsgaard also 10).
“Bukayo is a huge weapon that we have,” he added.
“We know the impact he has in the team and how important his role and contribution to our success is. It's great to have him back.”
In the meantime, Fulham wants to return from their FA Cup quarter -final defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
In the Premier League they are in the battle for a European place sitting in eighth place, and they want to register back-to-back victories on the North London clubs, who have defeated Tottenham before the international break.
Fulham is on an unbeaten line of three games against Arsenal, and Marco Silva is convinced that they can extend that run on Tuesday.
“Our recent record against them has been very good, shows that we have done very, very good things against them,” Silva said.
“We are brave, our courage will be there, our quality too, our organization, and of course we must be able to match their physicality that will be in the game.
“I really believe that if we are at our best level, we have already shown that we can respond very well.”
Players to watch
Arsenal – Mikel Merino
Of the six Premier League goals from Mikel Merino (five for Arsenal, one for Newcastle United), five have given the lead in a competition.
He also scored the winning goal in four of the five Premier League matches in which he scored at least once, the only exception is the 2-2 draw of Arsenal with Liverpool in October this season.
Fulham – Antonee Robinson
No player has made interception in the Premier League this season than Robinson (50, level with Ryan Gravenberch).
The left back has also made a competition-high 344 off-the-ball in the last third part in 2024-25.
Back to #pl business. #Arsful pic.twitter.com/LF1GKBMDOF
– Fulham Football Club (@Fulhamfc) March 31, 2025
Match prediction: Arsenal Win
Arsenal has never lost in 31 Home League matches against Fulham, won 24 and drawing seven. It is the most home games that played the one side against another without ever losing the history of the English football competition.
The Gunners also have a good record in recent Derbies. This season they have earned 20 points in such games in the Premier League, more than any other side.
In the meantime, Fulham has won four League London Derbies this period; Only in 1931-32, 1947-48 and 2000-01 (all five) did they win more in one campaign in their football competition.
Fulham is unbeaten in their last three league matches against Arsenal (W1 D2), only once a longer such a run without defeat against the Gunners (four between May 2011 and November 2012).
Arsenal won all seven of their Premier League matches on 1 April with a total score of 25-3. No team has a better 100% Winstrecord on a specific date in the history of the competition (Chelsea also 7/7 on December 3).
Opta wins probability
Arsenal – 64.1%
Drawing – 20.7%
Fulham – 15.2%
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