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Mikel Arteta is hoping the return of Bukayo Saka after a month out can provide Arsenal with “a different energy” as they attempt to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.
The England forward has not played since the defeat by City in the Carabao Cup final owing to an achilles injury and Arsenal have won one of five games without him. Arteta said Saka would be in the squad to face Newcastle on Saturday evening, when Arsenal will have an opportunity to go top again.
The manager said the 24-year-old, expected to be a crucial part of Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad, needed a spell on the sidelines having been absent earlier in the season with hip and hamstring injuries.
“We have given him some time because there was a moment that he was struggling to sustain the performances because he wasn’t comfortable at all,” Arteta said. “We’ve done that so he had the right treatment, the right space. He has some time as well for himself and it’s the most important part of the season and it’s part of us. I think it was a good moment for him as well to reflect on that, to have some peace because we’ve been constantly asking and demanding him, and it was a moment to say: ‘OK, now when you feel ready let us know and we’ll go for it.’”
Arteta said when asked whether Saka’s return had come at the right time with five league matches remaining: “He was in great spirits today, you can see the sun is shining and now he’s back with the team, because he had a different energy. He’s had a tough period, we certainly missed him and he’s back with us now.
Arsenal had led the table for 200 days until City took over on Wednesday after following up their win over Arteta’s team at the Etihad by beating Burnley. A 1-0 victory at Turf Moor means City lead on goals scored, with Arsenal having an opportunity to leapfrog them when they face Newcastle.
“The clarity of what we have to do, it cannot be better,” said Arteta, who confirmed Riccardo Calafiori was available. Arsenal also have the Champions League to target, with the first leg of the semi-final coming up at Atlético Madrid on Wednesday.
“Two big competitions to play for, and everything to play for. If somebody would have told us at the beginning of the season, we would have taken it, and we are so excited.”
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