Bukayo Saka and Mikel Arteta (Photograph by Shaun Botterill/Getty Pictures, Ryan Pierse/Getty Pictures)
Bukayo Saka made a triumphant return for Arsenal earlier this week as he scored in his first look after a three-month harm lay-off. The 23-year-old scored what turned out to be the profitable aim in opposition to Fulham, and that can set him in good stead to finish the season on a excessive.
Arsenal struggled throughout Saka’s absence, which began in December when he suffered a critical hamstring harm. However now that he’s again, they are going to be focusing on a powerful finish to the season – however whereas the Premier League is nearly out of attain, Mikel Arteta’s aspect do nonetheless have Champions League aspirations.
Collymore believes Bukayo Saka return is large for Arsenal
In his unique CaughtOffside column, Collymore spoke on the significance of Saka to Arsenal, though he made it clear to Arteta that he can’t solely depend on the winger for the upcoming tie in opposition to Actual Madrid.
“It was very important for Arsenal’s Champions League and Premier League ambitions to get Bukayo Saka again from harm. Though they do have Mikel Merino establishing himself as an unlikely goalscorer, the performances when he was out injured have proven simply how vital a participant he’s for Mikel Arteta.
“Saka is an actual talisman for Arsenal, and I feel his return might even have saved them from dropping under Nottingham Forest within the Premier League desk. His aim and help output must be sufficient to make sure a second place end behind Liverpool.
“When it comes to the Champions League, is Saka courageous sufficient and daring sufficient to tackle and assist Arsenal beat Actual Madrid? I don’t assume so, however it will be unfair for him to hold that burden so closely contemplating that he has solely simply returned from three months out. For me, the important thing factor is to cease Actual Madrid from scoring, and that clearly turns into considerably harder now that Gabriel is out.
“Arsenal want to determine a strategy to face Actual Madrid. In the event that they go toe-to-toe with them, I feel they are going to be soundly crushed over the 2 legs. But when they’re extra pragmatic, they’ve an opportunity – and that accountability falls on Arteta, and we are going to see whether or not he can show that he is a fine quality supervisor at this degree.”
