Arsenal: Bukayo Saka injury update alters England plans

Arsenal have no less than 15 players away from London Colney for this two-week international break, with a number of their stars playing between one and three matches with their respective nations, including Bukayo Saka.

Forced off at half-time of the north London derby comeback win over Tottenham with a tight hamstring, fears rose initially of an extended spell on the sidelines for Bukayo Saka.

He would play no part in the Gunners’ 0-1 defeat against Olympiacos in their last 16 Europa League tie, with the issue due to see him sit out of the following West Ham clash.

However, Saka responded well to treatment and was deemed fit for the clash, playing 74 minutes before being replaced by Nicolas Pepe and Arsenal clawed their way back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3.

Bukayo Saka’s injury update at Arsenal alters plans with Gareth Southgate and the England squad against San Marino

Having been called up by Gareth Southgate for England’s three World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland, Arsenal fans had mixed emotions. On the one hand, seeing one of your own represent their country is a source of immense joy, yet selfishly, more games simply means more fatigue and further risk of injury.

With England due to take on minnow San Marino on Thursday, the Three Lions revealed that Saka has not even linked up with the rest of the squad yet.

"A statement read: “Bukayo Saka is still with his club for further assessment on an on-going issue but it is hoped he will join up with the squad later this week.”"

It’s fair to assume that the 19-year-old may have felt a recurrence of that hamstring problem either in the aftermath of the six-goal thriller in east London or at some point during the game.

Knowing he will still head to St George’s Park this week allays fears that it’s a serious tear of the hamstring, therefore the selfish element returns to the fore. While not a dead rubber, England are fully expected to pan San Marino at Wembley and it would constitute another fixture Saka needn’t play in, while he may not even be back in time for the Albania clash on Sunday.

Sure, he needs to cement his case for the European Championships, but Southgate will learn more about him and what he can bring in matches against Poland, for example.