Mikel Arteta provides Arsenal Bukayo Saka injury update after World Cup scare
Arsenal are reportedly confident that Bukayo Saka did not suffer a potentially long-term ankle problem during Sunday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
The attacker was forced off in the first half of the game with Steve Cooper’s side, having picked up an ankle injury, and there were concerns that he could now face a period on the sidelines.
However, according to The Sun, Arsenal are ‘cautiously optimistic’ that the issue is not serious, and he could even potentially feature against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
The report claims that Saka is expected to miss out against FC Zurich in the Europa League on Thursday, but he could return for this weekend’s key contest with the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal will take on Zurich, Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers in their four matches before the season breaks for the 2022 World Cup.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta addressed Saka’s injury immediately after the win over Forest and said that he did not believe the Englishman had suffered a potentially long-term issue.
“Hopefully not (whether his World Cup was in doubt), It was a bad kick right from the beginning he was limping, but I don’t see any further than that, let’s see how it is in the next couple of days,” he told reporters.
“I think both [leg & ankle] he got kicked a few times and he wasn’t comfortable to continue.”
Saka has scored four times and registered five assists in 12 Premier League appearances for the Gunners this season, in addition to one goal in five Europa League outings.
Arsenal’s five-goal success over Forest on Sunday saw them return to the top of the table ahead of the reigning champions Manchester City.
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