Riccardo Calafiori remains hopeful that Bukayo Saka will return from injury ahead of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Calafiori hopes Saka will return before Madrid clash
• Italian believes Saka can make a difference in UCL
• Saka set to rejoin Gunners training next week

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Saka has remained sidelined for the past three months after he underwent hamstring surgery in December. He was expected to resume training in March and manager Mikel Arteta recently provided an update on the star attacker's fitness. As per the Spanish coach, the England international is due back at the training ground next week to increase the intensity of his rehabilitation and work with the ball at his feet in a competitive environment.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Gunners' star defender Riccardo Calafiori remains hopeful that Saka will regain his fitness soon and take to the field against Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final fixtures in April. The Italian defender firmly believes that the English winger's return will be a huge boost for the team as he is capable of making a difference in an important game.

• WHAT RICCARDO CALAFIORI SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Calafiori said: "Everyone will be happy if he comes back, he's a top player and he will make the difference for sure. You can see when he's on the pitch that he makes a big difference, he's an important player for us, he's a top guy as well so I wish he can play for us. He's going to do everything to come back for this big game but I'm not even thinking of Real Madrid right now, I'm thinking about Chelsea and then the national team, then we'll see."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Arteta's men are currently in action against Chelsea in their final game ahead of the international break. They will be back in action on April 1 when they take on Fulham in a Premier League clash at home.