Arsenal could have been dealt another cruel blow on international duty this week with Bukayo Saka returning to the club for ‘further assessments’ after suffering a hamstring injury for England.
Saka looked to be in pain as he pulled up in the 50th minute of England’s Nations League game with Greece on Thursday, before walking off gingerly and being replaced.
The 23-year-old has been assessed by officials with England, and will not travel with the squad to Finland for their game on Sunday with him already returning to Arsenal for tests ahead of a busy schedule coming up – including their game with Liverpool on October 27
Arsenal has already lost captain and key figure Maartin Odegaard for several weeks, who suffered an ankle injury while on international duty with Denmark in September, as they now wait to learn the significance of Saka’s injury.
The favorites to win the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool, Arsenal faces a busy schedule once their players return from international duty next week with six games in 16 days – including their game with Liverpool at The Emirates later this month.
Saka leads the Premier League with seven assists in as many games, while also creating the most chances in the league with 27 – four more than second-placed Cole Palmer and Dwight McNeil.Saka looked dejected as he held his hamstring while leaving the field
As well as Saka, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones has not been included in the Three Lions’ squad to travel to Finland for the Sunday game, with the reason believed to be that he is expecting his first child.
Unli ke Saka, Jones had not played in England’s game with Greece on Thursday – a surprising 2-1 defeat – with the Liverpudlian midfielder still awaiting his first senior cap with England despite two call-ups.
Liverpool do not return to action until Sunday, October 20, when they face Chelsea at Anfield before travelling to Germany to come up against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Liverpool.com says: “Arsenal being without Bukayo Saka for any game is a huge blow, but coming up against Liverpool will be especially worrying for the North London outfit. One of Arsenal’s more dangerous players, Saka is their go-to outlet on the right wing – similar to how Mohamed Salah is for the Reds.
“The Gunners do not have a like-for-like replacement for Saka should he miss the Liverpool game, but it could see a former Red in Raheem Sterling playing in his spot for when the two sides meet this month”.
