Saka returns to full training and could face Chelsea

The winger missed the last two games with a thigh muscle problem. On Tuesday he trained with the main group and completed every drill, including the full-pitch games at the end of the session.

According to the club, the medical staff see no risk of the injury coming back. The final decision will be taken on the morning of the match, after a light session at London Colney.

It is the clearest sign yet that Arsenal could have one of their most productive attackers available for the biggest game of the round. The leaders go into the derby unbeaten in the league, with six wins and two draws from eight matches.

What the club says

The coach added that he does not want to take risks with the player before the international break. Bringing him on in the second half is also an option.

Club staff described the recovery as routine. The winger followed an individual programme for most of last week, moved on to ball work at the weekend and joined the group once the medical team were happy with his sprint numbers.

A club spokesperson said the player had reported no discomfort after Tuesday’s session and that the plan had not changed since then. The squad list will be confirmed after the final team meeting.

How Arsenal coped without him

Arsenal did not drop points in his absence. The most recent of those games was a 2–0 home win over Fulham, a result that kept them top of the table ahead of Liverpool.

The side have the best defensive record in the division, with five goals conceded in eight games, and have scored 17. Without their first-choice right winger the attack relied more on runs from midfield and on set pieces.

The coaching staff rotated the role on the right during the two games. Neither option gave the same width, and the team created fewer chances from open play down that side.

If he is fit to start, the likely change is a straight swap on the right, with the rest of the side unchanged from the Fulham game. If he is on the bench, the staff are expected to keep the same shape and look to him for the final half-hour, when Chelsea’s full-backs are usually more tired and the spaces behind them get bigger. Either way, the coach has said the decision will be made with the medical team rather than on instinct.

His season so far

Before the injury the winger had been a regular starter in both competitions. His numbers in the Premier League and the Champions League are below.

He has been involved in seven goals in eight appearances, roughly one goal or assist every 94 minutes. That output is one reason the staff are keen to have him back, even if only for part of the game.

What the derby means for both sides

Chelsea arrive in fourth place on 15 points, five behind Arsenal, after beating Brighton 3–1 in the last round. Their recent form has been mixed, with two defeats in their last five league games.

For Arsenal, a win would keep the gap at the top and put further distance between them and the chasing pack. For Chelsea, it is a chance to close in on the leaders before the break.

• Arsenal: 1st, 20 points, unbeaten in eight league games
• Chelsea: 4th, 15 points, 14 scored and 8 conceded
• Arsenal’s recent league form: W W D W W
• Chelsea’s recent league form: L W W D L

There is also a Champions League home game against Benfica next week, which is another reason the staff may manage the winger’s minutes carefully in the derby.

Around the training ground

The mood at the training ground was relaxed in the final days before the derby. Supporters will learn the team about an hour before kick-off at the Emirates.

1 / 6 · The Emirates Stadium, where the derby will be played. Photo: Arne Müseler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de

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