Mikel Arteta favourite provides Bukayo Saka Arsenal return hint as clock ticks down to Real Madrid

The clock is ticking down to the long-awaited return of Bukayo Saka to the Arsenal squad as hope grows that he could indeed be ready to face Real Madrid. It has been a long journey for the winger who has embarked upon this recovery that so many of his teammates have also dealt with.

Mikel Arteta has had bad luck with his squad’s availability, and major issues have affected many of his key players. Saka suffered a severe hamstring injury at the end of last year that required surgery, and Kai Havertz suffered a similar problem immediately after the close of the January transfer window.

After several months, however, Saka is now close to a return, although it has probably come too late when regarding hopes of winning the Premier League. The Champions League remains a possibility with a quarter-final tie with Los Blancos – the first leg taking place in the second week of April.

Arsenal play Fulham on Tuesday but could give Saka some minutes before then. Jurrien Timber missed the majority of last season after suffering a knee injury in the first league match of the campaign against Nottingham Forest.

He came back with the aid of a under-21s match in which he scored. He made his return in April but only featured in the final Premier League game against Everton.

Speaking after making his comeback in the youth match Timber said: “Oh yeah, I can’t wait. The boys have been texting me already, so it’s going to be fun. It’s been eight months, you know. To be honest, I still don’t really know how to feel, but just being out there feels amazing.

“Even now, it feels strange for me as well. It’s amazing, it’s been eight months. I feel happy, feel blessed to be out there and it was nice scoring a goal as well. I think we’re doing really well.

"The last couple of weeks have been tough, obviously out of the Champions League, but we’re still in the mix, we’re still there. I’m glad that I can be a part of it and let’s see what the last couple of weeks can bring. I hope something beautiful.”

For Saka, the next chance would be Monday night against Norwich City Under-21s. This is however just one day before the league game with Fulham at the Emirates Stadium and his potential involvement may mean he is left out of the clash against the Cottagers, but then again, it might be worked out he plays a part in both.

Equally, it might be decided that both games come too soon for the winger and instead, the away trip to Everton, the final match before the first leg with Real Madrid, could instead be the return target.