Arsenal welcome back Bukayo Saka and ‘different energy’ for Newcastle clash

Calafiori also fit as Arteta targets ‘two big competitions’

Prefer the Guardian on GoogleMikel Arteta is hoping the return of Bukayo Saka after a month out can provide Arsenal with “a different energy” as they attempt to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.

The England forward has not played since the defeat by City in the Carabao Cup final owing to an achilles injury and Arsenal have won one of five games without him. Arteta said Saka would be in the squad to face Newcastle on Saturday evening, when Arsenal will have an opportunity to go top again.

The manager said the 24-year-old, expected to be a crucial part of Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad, needed a spell on the sidelines having been absent earlier in the season with hip and hamstring injuries.

Arteta said when asked whether Saka’s return had come at the right time with five league matches remaining: “He was in great spirits today, you can see the sun is shining and now he’s back with the team, because he had a different energy. He’s had a tough period, we certainly missed him and he’s back with us now.

“Bukayo is a player when it comes to those moments, we expect him to produce those moments to win it for us. We need him in the squad. We have him now. Hopefully we can use him in the right way.”

Arsenal had led the table for 200 days until City took over on Wednesday after following up their win over Arteta’s team at the Etihad by beating Burnley. A 1-0 victory at Turf Moor means City lead on goals scored, with Arsenal having an opportunity to leapfrog them when they face Newcastle.

“The clarity of what we have to do, it cannot be better,” said Arteta, who confirmed Riccardo Calafiori was available. Arsenal also have the Champions League to target, with the first leg of the semi-final coming up at Atlético Madrid on Wednesday.

“Two big competitions to play for, and everything to play for. If somebody would have told us at the beginning of the season, we would have taken it, and we are so excited.”