Mikel Arteta gives big news about Bukayo Saka ahead of Real Madrid clash

Arsenal's 2024/2025 season will be decided by their two Champions League matches against Real Madrid next month. 

The Gunners secured qualification for the last eight after defeating PSV 9-3 on aggregate after two matches. 

'Los Blancos' on the other hand had a more difficult qualification, as they had to take penalties in order to secure passage. 

The race for Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta is to qualify for the semi-finals, something Arsenal have not achieved since 2009. 

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Arsenal's last meeting with Real Madrid in the Champions League came in the 2005/2007 season when Thierry Henry silenced the crowd at the 'Santiago Bernabeu' by scoring the winning goal for 1-0. 

Arteta is aiming to have all his players available for these two matches and has already provided an update on Bukayo Saka's health. 

"He's close to returning and is making pretty good progress. Let's see how he reacts when he returns to training next week." 

"Hopefully we can see him with the ball more than he has been able to do so far. He has already done a lot of work off the pitch," Arteta said. 

Saka has been out of action for a full three months after an injury that forced him to undergo surgery.Telegraph/