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Arsenal could be without star winger for Bournemouth game

By James Cormack

Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka walks around the pitch having been substituted during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 24, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / 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. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka walks around the pitch having been substituted during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 24, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / 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. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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There were positive updates on the injury front in the wake of the North London Derby, but bleaker reports have emerged on Tuesday.

While Mikel Arteta is hoping to welcome back Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to the fold this weekend, the Arsenal boss admitted he could be without Bukayo Saka for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.

The Gunners are without a whole host of first-teamers for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round tie away at Brentford, with Saka and Declan Rice joining the injury list on Sunday.

Arsenal could be without star winger for Bournemouth game

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s cup tie, Arteta discussed Saka’s injury which could rule him out of Saturday’s game: “He was limping quite badly after the match. We had to get him off the field, which is never a good sign. He hasn’t been able to participate in the [training] session.”

The boss added that it was a “possibility” for Saka to miss the weekend’s trip to the south coast where Andoni Iraola’s Cherries await.

The exact nature of the winger’s injury hasn’t yet been disclosed.

While Arteta is hopeful that both Martinelli and Trossard will be in action this weekend after brief layoffs, there’s more doubt surrounding Rice’s back issue. Some suggest the midfielder could play this weekend, while others write that Arsenal are closely monitoring his current discomfort.

The club are hopeful that Rice will not be a long-term absentee, but the Daily Mail (via @afcstuff) report that the back pain which forced him off against Spurs has worsened and he is yet to return to training as a result.

Losing Rice for any period of time would be a massive blow, especially with Partey out of action. The new arrival was named Arsenal’s Player of the Month for August following a dominant start to his career in north London.

With a clash against Manchester City on the horizon, Arsenal do not need to take any risks with the England international.

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