Mikel Arteta Provides an Injury Update on Bukayo Saka

Mikel Arteta provides an injury update on Bukayo Saka

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka speaks to member of the medical staff after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 30, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian Kington / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

It was a wonderful afternoon at the Emirates on Sunday as Arsenal waltzed to a 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, but Bukayo Saka’s forced withdrawal was a cause of concern for supporters.

The winger, who’s in fine form and had started the game superbly, teed up Gabriel Martinelli for the opener before limping off after 27 minutes with an apparent ankle injury.

Saka was visibly in discomfort for a few minutes before his withdrawal as he twice received treatment from the medical team following a challenge from Renan Lodi.

With just three games to go until the Premier League pauses for the World Cup, both Arsenal and England supporters will be hopeful that Saka’s injury is minor. After the game, manager Mikel Arteta played down the significance of the player’s issue.

Mikel Arteta provides an injury update on Bukayo Saka

Mikel Arteta on if Saka’s injury puts his World Cup in doubt: “Hopefully not. It was a bad kick. He was limping but I don’t see it further than that. Both foot & ankle, he got kicked a few times.” #afc pic.twitter.com/nYoAFemzIo
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) October 30, 2022

Asked post-match if Saka’s injury could rule him out of the World Cup, which is now less than a month away, the Arsenal manager replied: “Hopefully not. It was a bad kick, he was limping but I don’t see it further than that. It was both [foot and ankle], he got kicked a few times.”

Arteta’s comments would suggest that Saka picked up an impact injury as opposed to something more sinister.

Nevertheless, I’m sure the club will be cautious with the 21-year-old and it’d be a huge surprise to see him take part in Thursday’s must-win clash against FC Zurich – especially with a trip to Stamford Bridge on the horizon.

Arsenal’s pre-World Cup calendar concludes away at Wolves on 12 November with Gareth Southgate set to name his England squad two days later on 14 November. Presuming the injury is only minor, Saka is a sure bet to be on the plane to Qatar.

For now, though, supporters can rest easy knowing that their starboy won’t be out of action for too long – if at all.

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