Arsenal have dropped a cryptic Bukayo Saka injury update with major doubt surrounding the winger’s fitness ahead of the Premier League clash at Bournemouth. During England’s Nations League clash against Greece, Saka appeared to suffer a hamstring injury, with it later confirmed he had returned to London Colney for further assessment.
Following that statement from the Three Lions’ camp, concern within Emirates Stadium understandably increased, especially with games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Inter before the next international break. However, an update from Lee Carsley would have eased some worries.
“Bukayo would have been close [to playing vs Finland], but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him,” he admitted. “He’s a positive person, and I expect him to be fine.” Carsley revealing that Saka was close to being available certainly suggests no lasting damage has been suffered and that he could now be fit after six days.
With just over 24 hours until Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth, Arteta has provided the latest on Saka, and it certainly appears to be good news. “It’s not a serious injury,” he revealed. “He’s evolving well. He was probably good enough to play with the national team second game. We have some big tests today, so we are hopeful.”
Over the week, Arteta has gradually welcomed back his players that were away on international duty, with Thursday’s session at London Colney involving Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori. Saka, though, was nowhere to be seen, with Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Ben White also seemingly not involved.
While he was not pictured, it could be argued that Saka was somewhat present. As part of a drill, some of the squad wore red bibs, with Rice’s having the No.7 very clearly printed in the centre. That is, of course, Saka’s squad number, and Arteta will certainly be hoping he sees him wearing it this Saturday.
Returns for Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko could also be on the cards, though Arteta has confirmed Martin Odegaard will be absent. “They are quite close the three of them,” he admitted on White, Timber and Zinchenko. “Today we’ll have to push. We are struggling a bit with the numbers, especially in our right side.
“He [Odegaard] is not gonna be fit for this game. Next week will be a different story. He needs to clear some markers doing things with the ball in that latter stage of rehab. Next week will be crucial.”
