Bukayo Saka, a promising young player for Arsenal, experienced yet another injury scare during Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League loss to RC Lens. Mikel Arteta decided to start his star winger for his team’s journey to France despite the 22-year-old’s recent injuries sustained during Premier League matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth.
Saka got the European match off to a good start, helping Gabriel Jesus score after just 14 minutes. However, his night was over after only 19 minutes when he appeared to suffer a muscular injury, which is a huge concern for the north Londoners ahead of Sunday’s matchup against defending Premier League winners Manchester City.
Football.london has compiled all of the information on Saka’s current fitness state that has been reported so far below, as concerns about the England international missing the eagerly anticipated match against the Citizens continue to rise.
Arteta update
After his team’s Champions League loss to RC Lens, Arteta gave an update on Saka’s injury. The Spaniard stated in a statement to TNT Sports: “It wasn’t an action, it was a back heel and he felt something and he wasn’t comfortable to continue.”
Arteta merely shook his head when asked how serious the problem was. The Gunners would suffer a severe setback if Saka is forced to sit out of what will unquestionably be their biggest Premier League match of the year. Additionally, Arteta spoke with TV Sport 2, where his assessment of Saka’s condition was much more concerning.
The manager of the Arsenal commented, “It doesn’t look good.”
Lens blow
During the first half of Arsenal’s Champions League loss against RC Lens, Saka went down and was subsequently replaced by Fabio Vieira. The graduate of the Hale End academy was questionable going into the match after suffering a knock against Bournemouth, but he began the match in France.
Saka, however, only had a pleasant evening for 33 minutes when he collapsed to the ground clutching his hamstring. Prior to leaving the field, the 22-year-old had indicated to Arsenal manager Arteta that he was experiencing a minor problem.
Secretive post suggests a return to injuries
Bukayo Saka left a mysterious Instagram message as Arsenal waited in vain for word on his health before the Premier League match against Bournemouth. Last weekend’s North London Derby saw the England international walk off against Tottenham, raising concerns that he would miss several weeks of action.
Saka recently shared a photo of himself inside a gym on his Instagram story, indicating that he is actively preparing for the trip to Bournemouth this weekend by maintaining his condition. It’s uncertain whether the representative of England is recovering or is well and prepared to resume training.
Arteta accepts Bournemouth’s uncertainty
According to Arteta, Saka is questionable for this weekend’s Premier League matchup between Arsenal and Bournemouth. Before the Gunners’ Carabao Cup third-round matchup against Brentford, Arteta noted that the player had a significant limp from the previous game.
We needed to remove him from the field. He is unable to take part in the discussion.
It’s possible that he won’t make Bournemouth.
Big boost
After receiving a blow to his foot during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Spurs, Saka was in excruciating pain. Fortunately for Mikel Arteta and company, the England winger is expected to recover and the injury is not considered to be significant.
Arteta is anticipated to rotate significantly for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup encounter against Brentford, so it’s doubtful that he will be risked for that game.
Mikel Arteta updates
The brilliant youngster’s Achilles problem has been downplayed by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who asserts that most players experience aches and pains at different points throughout the season.
He is fine; today he trained normally. When asked about Saka, the Spaniard responded, “There’s nothing to report.
Every player has aches or problems, he continued. However, there is nothing to be concerned about.
The most recent worry
Saka’s Achilles injury at the end of the 2022–23 season is still bothering him, according to the Daily Mail.
He was consequently listed as a reserve for the friendly against Scotland on Tuesday night.
Southgate admission
Following Saka’s historic three trick against North Macedonia in June, England manager Gareth Southgate first made the problem public.
After the game, Southgate commented on the young player’s goals, saying, “We weren’t surprised by the first one, that’s how he’s been all week, we hadn’t seen the second one coming. I am happy for him.
It would have been simple to lose focus during camp and miss a night like this, which I’m sure will stay with him forever because he’s had a somewhat injured Achilles.
He’s had it for a few weeks, said the Three Lions manager. When you’ve had one of the best nights of your life, the injury is a reminder that it’s worthwhile to go through these things.
Sir Alex Ferguson has issued a warning.
Michael Owen, a former Liverpool striker, has previously cautioned Saka and other youths that managers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of their players.
Owen ruptured his hamstring when he was just 19 years old, a setback that had a profound effect on his career later on. The Daily Mail quoted him as saying, “I wish it had been a broken leg.” “A snapped hamstring was the worst injury I ever sustained since back then you didn’t operate; you just let them heal naturally.
“For the rest of my career, I ran with two hamstring muscles in my right leg and three in my left. It was a vulnerability.
“I often ponder whether it was only a freak accident. I had been a rock until that point, never missing a game. Sir Ferguson often claims that if I had joined Manchester United as a young player, it would not have happened because he would have safeguarded me.