Arsenal are hopeful of having attacker Bukayo Saka fit for their coming game against AFC Bournemouth despite the 23-year-old limping off in England’s UEFA Nations League loss to Greece, per The Athletic.
The Colney Academy graduate also missed the win over Finland, with England interim manager Lee Carsley announcing that he felt something before returning to Arsenal to undergo further tests.
Arsenal are notoriously secretive with injury details, and we will likely need to wait until Mikel Arteta’s press conference before we get the full picture. Still, their talisman could be in the squad for the Bournemouth clash, which will be a welcome boost.
Saka has been phenomenal for the Gunners this term, bagging three goals and seven assists in ten appearances across all competitions.
He is spearheading Arsenal’s charge on multiple fronts. In the Premier League, no player has created more big chances than the Englishman. His goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League ensured the win and three points on matchday two.
Arsenal need him fit and firing and will hope that this setback is only minor, allowing him to start against the Cherries. Arsenal are dealing with several injury concerns before Saturday’s trip to Vitality Stadium.
Influential attacker Kai Havertz pulled out of Germany’s October Nations League games with a knee problem. Arteta is also sweating on his fitness. The 25-year-old former Chelsea forward has recorded four goals and one assist in seven Premier League appearances this term.
Also, Gabriel Martinelli is battling an issue on international duty with Brazil but has not been told to return to the club.
Besides, midfielder Thomas Partey also missed out on Ghana’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers, leaving the Gunners light in midfield, considering captain Martin Odegaard is still sidelined.
Even before the international break, Arsenal already had a number of concerns, with Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko all missing the comeback win over Southampton.
Arsenal need all hands on deck as the Bournemouth clash begins a run of seven games in three weeks, including a visit from Liverpool, a trip to San Siro to face Inter Milan in the Champions League before an away fixture at Chelsea.
