Bukayo Saka’s injury is not serious, says Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Bukayo Saka (left) was forced off during England’s shock 2-1 loss to Greece in the Nations League at Wembley last week.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Winger Bukayo Saka’s injury is not serious and Arsenal are hopeful he will be available for their English Premier League trip to Bournemouth on Oct 19 after picking up a problem on England duty, manager Mikel Arteta has said.
The 23-year-old was forced off during England’s shock 2-1 loss to Greece
Saka has racked up two goals and seven assists in seven Premier League appearances this term.
“(Saka) is not a serious injury,” Arteta told reporters on Oct 18. “He is evolving really well. He has done a few things in the last two days. He wasn’t fit enough to play with the national team in the second game, but we are hopeful.”
Another injury concern is Kai Havertz, after the forward missed Germany’s Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands due to a knee problem. Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli could also miss the Cherries clash.
Havertz, 25, has been enjoying a fine campaign, netting four times in seven Premier League games.
“He had a few issues, and we have been dealing with that. He has been absolutely brilliant. He has very good communication with the national team and the manager. He has a good chance to be fit and available,” the Arsenal manager said of the German.
On Martinelli, Arteta said: “Gabi landed yesterday afternoon here, so we had a very short time to be with him. (We will see) if we want to take the risk if he is fit.”
Captain Martin Odegaard continues to recover from an ankle injury, with Arteta saying that next week will be crucial to assess his condition.
Last season’s runners-up Arsenal are third in the standings with 17 points from seven matches and trail leaders Liverpool by a point. Bournemouth are 13th on eight points.
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola was candid about their struggles against the Gunners, saying: “They are the team in the last two seasons we have created the least against. We haven’t been the team we want to be against them.”
Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, face a London derby against West Ham United. Last time out, they blew a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Brighton & Hove Albion,
Many of his players jetted off for international duty after the match, and with little time for a debrief, he had said: “I’m ready to explode once they get back in the building and that will be my therapy.”
Asked about that on Oct 18, he said: “I was speaking metaphorically, as I haven’t exploded... Emotion after the game dissipated 10 days later and players got appropriate feedback for a difficult game for us.” REUTERS
