Bukayo Saka has said he feels mentally refreshed after missing three months through injury and believes Arsenal are ready to “write our own story” against Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final match.
Saka is expected to start against Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg for the first time since rupturing a hamstring in December, having come on in the past two matches. Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, said having the 23-year-old back for what he described as the biggest game of his coaching career was a massive boost as his team attempt to overcome the reigning champions.
Having missed only four of 135 Premier League matches since early May 2021 before his injury, Saka admitted the time on the sidelines had benefited him.
“I think mentally it was really good for me,” he said. “Obviously it was really tough initially to find out the extent of my injury, that I was going to have to have surgery … But once it was done and it was successful, I was just focused on coming back stronger and had a lot of time.
“Obviously the past five years I’ve been playing game after game, so it was the first proper break I’ve had and it was really good for me. I got to do a lot of things that I don’t really normally do. I can give you many, many examples, but you will get bored. It’s really nice to be back and I feel fresh mentally for sure.”
Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring on his return from injury against Fulham FC. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Saka’s current deal with Arsenal expires in 2027, however, the England international is relaxed about signing a new contract. Saka also revealed he regularly speaks to Henry for advice and is hoping this Arsenal side are capable of following in that one’s footsteps.
Asked whether he had let himself dream about emulating Henry, he said: “Yes, of course. His moment was his moment. Obviously, here we want to write our own story, but something like that would be nice. I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge.
“So I think it’s pretty clear. The fans know how much I love them. You saw when I came on Tuesday [against Fulham], I think they love me back. So it’s a good relationship and I’m really happy to be here and I’m just focused on winning.”
Arsenal are likely to end the season second in the Premier League with their only hope of winning a trophy this season being the UEFA Champions League.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans will be relying on Saka to punish Real Madrid defense when both team meet for the first time since their round of 16 clash in 2006. On that day, Arsenal recorded a memorable victory when a patched-up side with Mathieu Flamini deputising at left-back won 1-0 in the Santiago Bernabéu courtesy of a goal from Thierry Henry.
