Saka Returns to Grass, Domino Effect Awaits Arsenal

After spending more than three months in the operating room and recovery ward, Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has returned to training with the first team. This indicates that he will soon take part in the final stretch of "The Gunners" journey this season.

Saka uploaded a photo with a complete training jersey against a grass field on his Instagram account, Thursday (3/27/2025) evening WIB. The England national team player smiled broadly while giving a thumbs up. "Hello again," he wrote in the caption.

Since December 21, 2024, Saka has been injured. Specifically, during the match against Crystal Palace. The thigh muscle injury was initially estimated to last only a few weeks but extended to three months due to the necessity of surgery. Arsenal's long wait finally ended right after the international break.

The happiest person upon hearing the news was manager Mikel Arteta. It is entirely reasonable, as since Arteta was appointed to manage Arsenal on December 20, 2019, no player has been more influential than Saka. This includes appearances, goals, assists, and chance creation.

The absence of Saka is most deeply felt this season. The 23-year-old player is in his best form. He has already contributed 9 goals and 13 assists across all competitions in 24 appearances. Imagine, Saka still leads the list for total goals and assists at Arsenal despite being sidelined since December.

"Little Chili," Saka's nickname, is highly influential. Compared to all players in the English Premier League, his contribution to goals is equally remarkable. Only Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah (1.32) has been involved in more goals per 90 minutes than Saka (1.08) this season.

Saka's return is very timely. He arrives as Arsenal enters the most crucial phase of this season. They will compete in the final nine matches of the Premier League and the Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid. Arsenal's season success hangs on the edge of a cliff.

The first question is, when will Saka return to play? That question cannot yet be answered, not even by Arteta. Saka still needs to regain his sharpness after being absent for quite some time. The coaching team is also reluctant to take risks regarding the potential for subsequent injuries.

When you put them together in the right space, everything just blossoms. It's about chemistry on and off the pitch.

Learning from the case of striker Gabriel Martinelli who also suffered a thigh muscle injury, it took two games as a substitute before appearing from the start. The difference is, Martinelli's injury was only about a month. Saka will likely need a little more time to adapt.

Arsenal will face five matches from April 1 to April 17, including home and away games against Madrid. If there are no further obstacles, Saka should be able to play in full when "The Cannon" visits Madrid's headquarters on Thursday (17/4/2025) early morning WIB.

After Arteta, the figure who misses Saka the most is team captain Martin Odegaard. The creative midfielder has been widely criticized lately for his inconsistent performances. In fact, the decline was inevitable, considering that Odegaard and Saka seem to have their own playing system on the right side.

Arteta said Arsenal's performance drops drastically when one of them is missing. They need each other, they are not optimal if they are alone. "When you put them together in the right space, everything will improve. It's about chemistry on and off the pitch," he said.

The numbers don't lie. Just look at Sky Sports' data from the 2021-2022 Premier League to date. No player has provided more chances for Saka than Odegaard (46). Conversely, Saka has provided the most chances for Odegaard (74).

The mutual symbiosis is reflected in the club's results. When Odegaard and Saka have played together this season, Arsenal are unbeaten (W8 - D4) with an average of 2.5 goals scored. Results drop drastically (W18, D9, L6) and an average of 1.8 goals when one or both players are absent.

One of the players who is no less important in the system on the right side is full-back Ben White. They often create a "triangle" that is difficult for opponents to read. The trio was so relied on by Arsenal last season, but it did not materialize this season because each of them suffered long injuries.

White once said, it was like having a spiritual connection with Saka. "He makes everything easier than it should be. I don't understand how it happens either. When I look ahead, I immediately know what he's going to do and where he's running," he said.

Since Saka's departure, the right wing position has been taken over by Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri in turn. A change in Arsenal's front three structure in a 4-3-3 formation is imminent. Saka returns to the right side, while Martinelli replaces Leandro Trossard on the left.

Nwaneri who has been the talk of the town lately is almost certain to return to the bench. The 18-year-old will cover two players at once, Saka and Odegaard. He originally plays as an attacking midfielder, but was able to perform well when playing a role to fill Saka's void on the wing.

The situation also adds to the uncertainty of the fate of loanee Raheem Sterling. He had performed well when he contributed two assists in the Champions League round of 16 match against PSV, mid-March. Before he had the chance to appear again, Saka had returned to the squad.

Saka's return could also have an impact on the full-back rotation. White has started just once, against PSV, after returning from a three-month knee injury. Before that, he had only made cameo appearances in three games for a total of 22 minutes.

White could potentially get more minutes the rest of the season. The burden could be eased on Jurrien Timber, who has already played 40 times this season. Timber has had a lot of playing time in his first season back from a knee ligament injury.

Despite the predictable rotation, there is a question mark that cannot be answered at this time. Can Saka return to his best form straight away after the longest injury of his career? That question will determine Arsenal's fate at the end of the season. (AP/REUTERS)