Medical staff may wince but football has a long history of key players returning from serious injuries straight into big games

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the fitness of Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Jurrien Timber ahead of trip to Everton

Bukayo Saka marked his highly anticipated return with a goal at home Tuesday vs. Fulham in Premier League action, helping the Gunners to a 2-1 win. Saka scored Arsenal's second in the 73rd minute just seven minutes after being introduced for the first time since late December when he tore his hamstring vs. Crystal Palace.

On Friday, the Arsenal boss confirmed that both Ben White and Jurrien Timber have “a chance” of being fit to face the Toffees, but whether he risks either and for how long remains to be seen, with the Madrid game looming large.

Saka had not featured for Arteta's side since sustaining a hamstring injury in the Gunners' 5-1 win at Crystal Palace on 21 December, but made up for lost time immediately and celebrated his goal with the Arsenal physios who helped with his recovery.

Bukayo Saka made a triumphant return for Arsenal earlier this week as he scored in his first appearance after a three-month injury lay-off. The 23-year-old scored what turned out to be the winning

Bukayo Saka received a warm welcome from Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey as the winger returned from injury to help Arsenal beat Fulham.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to make his return from a lengthy injury layoff when the Gunners host Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday.

With Saka coming off the bench and scoring in the last game, there are many that will expect him to start, but we don’t see it. With the clash against Real Madrid imminent, Arteta will probably look to manage his minutes,