…says Saka’s injury is a concern for Arsenal
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s key striker may not be available for Sunday’s Premier League Man City tie after limping off the pitch against Lens on Tuesday.
It’s definitely a challenge for Mikel Arteta that Bukayo Saka is injured before the match against Man City, Sky Sports reports.
Saka limped off during Lens encounter on Tuesday night. In the 34th minute, Bukayo was substituted by Fabio Viera. Saka assisted Gabriel Jesus for the opening goal, making him the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to achieve five goals and 2 assists this season.
Mikel Arteta expressed unease about Bukayo Saka’s injury, saying, “It doesn’t look good.
“Saka felt something in his muscle while attempting a backheel and had to be substituted.”
Arteta expressed uncertainty about Bukayo Saka’s availability for the match against Man City, saying, “I haven’t a clue. I don’t know.”
The injury is a concern for Arsenal. Saka has been a constant presence for Arsenal, starting in their last 87 Premier League games in a row, which is the club’s record since May 2021.
Despite suffering a foot injury in the previous game against Bournemouth, he was considered fit enough to start on Tuesday night. Arteta mentioned that Saka was eagerly anticipating the match, just like any other player. It was a significant night in the Champions League.
In a post-match interview, Arteta stated that he had no regrets about selecting Saka for the match against Lens. Saka had a knock previously, but he seemed fine.
Unfortunately, the backheel action during the game caused the injury. Arteta hopes to assess the extent of the injury soon. Saka has been resilient and hasn’t missed many games. They even gave him a break against Brentford recently. Arsenal’s reliance on Saka was evident in their loss to Lens. Once he was substituted, the team seemed to lose their spark.
Saka’s ability to take on defenders in one-on-one situations is exceptional, averaging 14 per Premier League game. He truly stands out in this aspect.
Indeed, on Tuesday night, Fabio Vieira didn’t attempt to take on his man as frequently as Saka. Similarly, Gabriel Martinelli has comparable numbers to Saka in terms of one-on-one duels. While Leandro Trossard may be a suitable replacement for Martinelli, the upcoming match against Manchester City calls for a player who can offer more than just adequacy.
Arteta acknowledges the absence of key wingers and the threat they bring to the team. Their qualities are unique compared to others in the squad. The team news will indeed play a crucial role in Arsenal’s chances against Man City on Sunday.
