Bukayo Saka picked up an injury in training ahead of Arsenal’s final Premier League match of the season. Mikel Arteta was unable to name his star winger in the matchday squad as his side prepared to take on Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners know they must better Manchester City’s result against West Ham to have any chance of winning the title on the last day. Even three points won’t be enough though if Pep Guardiola’s side claim victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Having started each of the last seven league matches, Saka was not deemed fit enough to feature even on the bench in north London for the game. The 22-year-old had been taken off towards the end of last week’s win over Manchester United after colliding with the advertising board by the side of the pitch.
It is a muscular problem that kept him from being involved here though. “He picked up a muscle injury in training and unfortunately he is not available to play,” Arteta explained before the match. “He is obviously gutted, he has been so consistent throughout the season.
“So yes, [Gabriel] Martinelli comes in.” Elsewhere, in Manchester there was another blow for Arsenal with West Ham being without influential attacker Jarrod Bowen.
The forward is the main source of threat for David Moyes having scored 16 times in the league this year – more than double that of the next most in the squad. West Ham won their final home game under Moyes 3-1 last week against Luton.
