BREAKING Arsenal have scheduled a friendly match behind closed doors to give players who stayed behind during the break some minutes. Bukayo Saka is to TAKE PART in this match as he steps up his recovery!…

Arsenal has organized a closed-door friendly match to provide playing time for those players who remained during the break.

Bukayo Saka will participate in this match as he continues his recovery.

There is optimism regarding Bukayo Saka’s injury status ahead of the Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

According to David Ornstein, Arsenal is hopeful that Saka will be fit for the first leg of the quarter-finals against Real Madrid.

Saka has been sidelined since December 21 due to a significant hamstring injury sustained during a match against Crystal Palace. He has missed 19 consecutive games and is expected to return in April.

The exact date of his return remains uncertain, particularly with Real Madrid visiting the Emirates on April 8 for a crucial Champions League encounter.

The Gunners will then face Madrid again at the Bernabeu eight days later. If Saka is not available for the first leg, he is likely to play in the return match.

Ornstein notes that there is cautious optimism for both Arsenal and Saka, but he stresses that the club’s medical team will not rush his return.

He stated, “As John Cross was the first to report, that seems to be the hope for both Arsenal and Saka.

“This aligns with the expected recovery timeline following his surgery, but they will not take any risks.”

In other news, Charles Watts reports that Arsenal right-back Benjamin White could be considered for the next England squad.

Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel mentioned that White has made himself available, but he was not selected this month due to limited playing time following his injury.

White made his return to the Arsenal lineup in February after a three-month absence, but his only start since then was against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League round of 16, a match that was already decided after a 7-1 victory in the first leg.

Watts is optimistic that the 27-year-old will receive significant playing time in the upcoming weeks and envisions him starting as right-back, with Jurrien Timber shifting to left-back for the matches against Madrid.

“Ben White is set to have a substantial role for Arsenal,” Watts shared with Sports Mole.

“Timber is currently performing exceptionally well. However, the full-back position is highly demanding.”