Arsenal's injury clouds appear to finally be clearing

Arsenal's long list of injured players appears to be getting shorter.
Crystal Palace FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Crystal Palace FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League | Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Arsenal might get a star back after the international break, according to Mikel Arteta.

Whoever had the Arsenal voodoo doll appears to have taken a break with the Gunners slowly getting a host of stars returning.

First, it was Ben White and then over the past few weeks, Gabriel Martinelli has come into the squad and started in the 1-0 win over Chelsea at the weekend.

While it is too little, too late for Arsenal and its title hopes, but securing top four still remains a big priority for the club as it will impact how much they can spend and also who they can bring into the club as well with European football a big lure for players.

The win over Chelsea, that saw Mikel Merino's header from Martin Odegaard's corner give the Gunners a 1-0 win saw Arsenal move four points clear of Nottingham Forest in third and nine points clear of Chelsea in fourth with nine games to go.

So, as it stands, the Gunners go into the international break in good shape to secure Champions League qualification.

And when they return, the Gunners might be getting the biggest injury boost of all if Mikel Arteta's comments are anything to go by.

Bukayo Saka nearing a return?

Having not been seen since Arsenal destroyed Crystal Palace, Bukayo Saka has been going about his business working back to full fitness after needing surgery on his injured hamstring.

And after the international break, No. 7 might be ready to go.

"Yes. He has got a very good chance," Arteta said via Sky Sports when asked if Saka could return after the international break.

Bukayo Saka
Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Carabao Cup Quarter Final | Nigel French/Allstar/GettyImages

Those dark clouds appear to be clearing for the Gunners and yes, it is too little, too late, but having Saka back is a big boost.

But we offer this - should the Gunners play him?

With a solid lead on fourth-placed Chelsea with just nine games to go, Arsenal doesn't have to risk him and with the Gunners playing two league games against Fulham and Everton before facing Real Madrid in the Champions League, two games coming off the bench would be ideal preparation for Bukayo.

There is no sense in rushing him straight back into the starting lineup against Fulham and Everton. Let him get his legs underneath him as Martinelli did, and then unleash him on Madrid.

Saka is close to returning, and he will give a much-needed boost to an Arsenal side that desperately needs it—and maybe just in time, too.

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