Arsenal star Bukayo Saka set target by Mikel Arteta after training ground return
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told Bukayo Saka that he wants the winger to use his gut-wrenching injury lay-off as an opportunity to return "a better person". The compassionate Spaniard has vowed to help his star forward every step of the way during his recovery and believes that via a mental and physical reset, he will be back stronger than ever in the final months of the season. Saka underwent hamstring surgery in December after suffering a serious injury in the 5-1 victory at Crystal Palace and Arteta has revealed the player is in good spirits having already made several visits to the Sobha Reality Training Centre, though he is not expected to return to action until at least March.
Arteta said: "He’s been around a lot. It’s great to have him. There’s always a smile on his face. He’s going through a period that is unknown for him because he has never been injured for such a long time. "We have discussed the things we can do together and the things he can do to use the time in the right way to make him a better person, to make sure that he spends the time adequately with the opportunity that he has, so that when he comes back he is in the right place.".
Despite beating Ipswich and Brentford, Saka's absence is now beginning to weigh heavy on the Gunners, whose attack has struggled for fluency in the past two matches when Arsenal dropped points at Brighton before losing 2-0 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Teenage ace Ethan Nwaneri had looked ready to fill the void of his team-mate but is currently sidelined with a muscle issue and supporters now feel the club must act in the transfer market by signing attacking reinforcements to help salvage the season. When asked if Saka's injury was a consequence of the unforgiving schedule, Arteta admitted the medical staff remain in the dark.
