Bukayo Saka injury latest as Mikel Arteta provides update on Arsenal star ahead of Chelsea clash

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that Bukayo Saka is "getting close" and "making really good progress" as he eyes a return to action. The 23-year-old has not kicked a ball in anger since December after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury.

Saka sustained the issue during Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace and has since missed the last 20 matches - including 12 in the Premier League - and is not expected to be return until next month at the earliest.

But with Arsenal having just one more game, the visit of Chelsea on Sunday, before April, Saka could be set to be back fit soon. And ahead of the Gunners' clash against their London rivals, Arteta provided an update on Saka's condition and claimed he is closing in on a return.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: "He's getting close, he's stepping up and making really good progress. Let's see when we decide to throw him in, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly."

After this weekend's game at home against Chelsea, the Gunners then face a 16-day break before they are next in action. They face Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 1, following the international break. It's a game that Saka could now feature in and there is an expectation that he will be involved in the squad for at least the clash with Fulham or the trip to Everton on Saturday, April 5.

This is because Arsenal take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, April 8 and the Gunners are going to no doubt want Saka to have some game time before then. It's expected to be a chaotic April for Arteta's men, with no fewer than seven fixtures scheduled.

But before that, Arsenal have got an important game ahead of them against Chelsea. When asked about their opponents, Arteta added: "I think it's going to be a really different game. The talent they have in the squad, we will do our best to give ourselves the best chance of winning the game."

The Gunners sit second in the Premier League ahead of this weekend's action. They are 15 points behind Liverpool but can close that gap to 12 with a win over Chelsea. Looking at the chasing pack behind them, Nottingham Forest are third, four points adrift, and Chelsea are six behind Arsenal.