Arsenal injury updates: Why Bukayo Saka missed final day win

While the rest of the Premier League struggled with lengthy injury lists, Mikel Arteta enjoyed the luxury of having an almost full cohort of players available during the run-in.

The Gunners had their fair share of injury concerns in 2023/24, with summer arrival Jurrien Timber tearing his ACL on Matchday 1, but Arteta had his core intact for the duration of the run-in.

Arsenal cruelly ended the Premier League season without the title despite notching 16 wins from their final 18 and recording their highest points tally since the Invincibles campaign of 2003/04. The bar Manchester City have set is nothing short of remarkable.

The Gunners' campaign finished on home soil against Everton, with Kai Havertz's late winner ensuring they concluded 23/24 on a winning note. The Emirates faithful enjoyed the long-awaited return of Timber in the second half, but Bukayo Saka missed out entirely, while Gabriel was forced off before Timber's introduction.

Here's the final injury update of the 2023/24 season.

Bukayo Saka

Saka was in the wars once again throughout 2023/24, and the Englishman certainly is partial to a limp or two. The winger was forced off in several games this season, but he only missed two games through injury before the final day of the season.

Arteta confirmed that Saka missed out against Everton due to a muscle issue sustained in training.

“Unfortunately he picked up a small muscle injury in training,” the Sapniard said ahead of Sunday's game. “He wasn’t available to play, but fortunately we have some great players, [Gabriel] Martinelli steps in.”

While the end of the campaign means there's little scope for Arsenal supporters to sweat over Saka's status, England supporters will be keeping a close ey with Euro 2024 upcoming. However, Arteta asserted that the Arsenal star will be fit for this summer's major tournament.

Gabriel

Gabriel has been a mainstay in the Arsenal backline since the end of the summer transfer window, with the Brazilian international enjoying a superb season.

Gabriel has rarely had any fitness issues since joining the club, but he was forced off following a collision with Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure on Sunday.

The nature nor extent of the centre-back's injury has not yet been disclosed, although Gabriel was spotted with his right arm in a sling post-match as the Arsenal players embraced the Emirates crowd.

The former Lille defender has been called up to the Brazil squad for the Copa America this summer, with the tournament getting away next month.

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