Bukayo Saka strolled around without crutches before Arsenal’s clash with Aston Villa (Image: Getty)
boss is yearning for the return of his star winger . And a positive sign spotted before the Gunners’ clash with on Saturday suggests that he is making good progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Saka was forced to undergo a procedure in December after hobbling off at . Arteta subsequently confirmed he would be out for ‘many, many weeks’.
Having racked up 15 goal contributions in his first 16 games this term, Saka has naturally been a huge miss. fans will have winced to see him on crunches before the 2-1 win over on Wednesday.
But in a major boost to their hopes of seeing him back in action before his forecasted return date in March, Saka has lost the crutches in a matter of days. The England star watched his team-mates warm up from the touchline before Saturday’s meeting between and Villa.
And as he strolled around without the need for assistance, chatting light-heartedly with staff.
Arteta wants the Gunners academy product to head off on holiday before he even thinks about getting back to the training pitch. Saka has played at least 40 matches across all competitions in each of the three previous seasons, leaving him with little opportunity to fully recuperate.
Bukayo Saka strolling around pitch side without crutches at the Emirates.
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“Yes, he needs to [go away],” said the boss earlier this week. “He is obligated to go with his girlfriend, or his family, or on his own, he can choose. He needs to get away for a few days and refresh.
“He can still do a lot of things with his rehabilitation because it is the perfect stage. It will make him better. He has been with his team-mates every single day. But there is a moment, especially when we are going to be away for a few days, that he needs to do that.”
Arteta has been forced to shuffle the pack in response to a wave of injury issues at the top end of the pitch. Ethan Nwaneri stepped in to replace Saka on the right, but he soon joined him in the treatment room after picking up a muscle injury earlier this month.
With Gabriel Jesus poised to miss the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL, Arteta started with Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard as the front-three against Villa as Raheem Sterling was left on the bench.
Bukayo Saka has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury at Crystal Palace (Image: Getty)