Bukayo Saka reacts to Gabriel Magalhaes message ahead of Arsenal return
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes are preparing for their return to the Premier League after the international break.
Mikel Arteta’s side begin their nine-game sprint to the finish line with a London derby against Fulham on Tuesday, and must bridge a 12-point gap to leaders Liverpool if they’re to lift the Premier League title.
Arsenal return to domestic football having beaten rivals Chelsea on 16 March, but face a Fulham side who also won a London derby last-time out; a 2-0 win over Tottenham taking them up to eighth.
The Gunners’ form had slumped prior to that 1-0 victory over Chelsea, failing to win in three games and completely falling off the pace in what’s left of their fight to catch Liverpool at the summit.
That slump, however, coincided with Saka being consigned to the treatment room in a three-month injury layoff, and as the England winger prepares to make a comeback, Arsenal’s form should also recover.
Saka and Arsenal duo respond to Gabriel message
With Saka back in team training and well on his way back to full fitness with an appearance against Fulham possible on Tuesday, the rest of Arsenal’s squad are hoping they can hit the ground running.
Gabriel had a busy international break of his own with Brazil, who beat Colombia 2-1 at the death before a 4-1 loss to Argentina, and he’ll be hoping to be rock-solid alongside long-time partner William Saliba.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Games Missed |
| Bukayo Saka | 24 | 22 | 9 | 14 | 21 |
His future has been up in the air of late, with ex-Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown telling Football Insider that reported interest from Al-Nassr is just a ploy to result in a new contract at Arsenal.
However, Gabriel made clear in a post on Instagram (31 March) that his full focus is on Arsenal, with four images showcasing Arsenal training ahead of facing Fulham – with a fit-again Saka front and centre.
In his post, which was liked by Arsenal team-mates Saka, Declan Rice and recent England debutant (and scorer) Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel said: “Back to action!! See you tomorrow Gunners!!”
Gabriel, Saka and Arsenal set for crucial end-of-season run
Saka has been hinting that he’ll soon be back on the hallowed turf in Arsenal red, having missed out on a place in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad due to his hamstring injury and subsequent surgery.
While Martin Odegaard’s absences through less severe injuries have also been felt by the Gunners this season, missing Saka for a huge chunk of the campaign has only underlined how important he is to them.
If the 23-year-old does make his return against Fulham on Tuesday, there remains a slim chance that Arsenal might just hunt down an out-of-sorts Liverpool in a sublime last-chance dash to the title.