DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 11: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during a training session at NAS ... More Sports Complex on February 11, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Arsenal FC via Getty Images There was a familiar face involved in Arsenal training on Thursday. For the first time since December, Bukayo Saka took part in a team-wide session with the 23-year-old nearing a return to action following a serious hamstring injury. The Gunners have desperately missed their best winger over the last few months. Arsenal’s season has faltered in Saka’s absence. The Premier League title race is all but over with Liverpool 12 points clear at the top of the table. The Gunners simply dropped too points in matches Saka might have made a difference in had he been on the pitch. Arsenal is also out of the FA Cup. The Champions League, however, still presents the North London club with a target. Arsenal will face Real Madrid in the competition’s quarter-finals in April and the hope is that Saka will be available again. This could be a game-changer for the Gunners who are a different proposition with the England winger involved. LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Arsenal ... More FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Stephanie Meek - CameraSport via Getty Images) CameraSport via Getty Images Mikel Arteta’s style of play is relatively cautious. Arsenal moves the ball slowly in possession. Saka, however, is the one player who provides explosiveness. He offers a funnel into the attacking third and this is reflected in his numbers - the 23-year-old has registered 22 goal contributions in all competitions this season. MORE FOR YOU NYT Mini Today: Hints, Clues And Answers For Saturday, March 29 Russia Is Jamming Ukraine’s Precision Glide Bombs NSA Warns iPhone, Android Users—Change Message Settings Real Madrid squeezed through the Champions League last 16 by overcoming Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout. Another tight tie should be expected against Arsenal, although with Saka in the team the North London outfit could have the attacking firepower to beat the Spanish giants. BERGAMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 19: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, interacts with Bukayo Saka of ... More Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Atalanta BC and Arsenal FC at Stadio di Bergamo on September 19, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Arsenal FC via Getty Images While Arsenal has targeted the Premier League for the last three seasons, Champions League glory would outweigh any other achievement in the club’s history. The Gunners have never got their hands on the European Cup before. Not even Arsene Wenger was able to turn Arsenal into continental champions. Of course, Real Madrid will pose a serious attacking threat. Its frontline of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo supported by Jude Bellingham is the most fearsome in European soccer. However, the Spanish giants can be vulnerable at the back and this is where Saka’s directness will come in handy. Kai Havertz will still be sidelined for the two matches against Real Madrid and it’s not certain Saka will be in top form even if he is back on the pitch by then. Nonetheless, there is hope that Arsenal can stop the slide that has compromised its season in recent times. With Saka back, anything is possible. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades