Bukayo Saka is “ready to go” after being given the green light to return for Arsenal, boss Mikel Arteta has declared.
The England international has been out for three months with a hamstring injury.
But he is back in the squad for Tuesday’s London derby against Fulham and looks set to feature.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta told reporters: “Bukayo Saka is ready to go. All the careful things are already done. Now it’s about putting him in the grass at the right moment. But he’s pushing because he really wants to.
“We have respected the timeline and we have done everything. He is ready to go.”
Saka’s return will be a huge and much-needed boost for the Gunners, who have a Champions League showdown with Real Madrid coming up.
He has been a key player for Arteta’s side and they have fallen well off the pace in the Premier League title race without him.
“Bukayo is a massive weapon that we have,” Arteta said.
“We know the impact he has in the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success. It’s great to have him back again.
“It is the energy that he transmits. He has missed the thing that he loves the most in his life – which is to be around the team, to play, train and compete at the highest level.
“The fact that he is able to come in the most important part of the season is a massive boost for him and the team as well.
“It’s important to get it out of your head that you haven’t played for three months but he has played for the last 48 months. And three in 48 is a small percentage. So the habit is there.”
Meanwhile, Arteta has backed new sporting director Andrea Berta to make a positive impact at Arsenal.