‘Doesn’t look good’ – Arteta delivers injury update on key player ahead of Man City clash

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has delivered an update about Bukayo Saka’s injury after a disappointing 2-1 defeat against RC Lens in the Champions League.

The 22-year-old was struggling with an injury problem that he sustained during the high-voltage North London Derby versus Tottenham Hotspur.

As a consequence of that injury, the winger was in doubt to play over the last couple of games, but Arteta opted to start him, nevertheless.

Saka lasted until 75th-minute against Bournemouth last weekend but, the winger was forced to take off before the first half versus Lens last night.

During the post-match press conference (via Football London), Arteta said that it wasn’t a contact injury as he tried to backheel the ball and felt something. He didn’t feel comfortable continuing so the youngster was substituted and ‘it doesn’t look good’. Therefore, it seems this isn’t the recurrence of the issue that he was carrying.

Arteta said: “It wasn’t an action, it was a back heel and he felt something and he wasn’t comfortable to continue. It doesn’t look good.”

“We don’t know anything more. It was big enough not to allow him to continue to play the game and that’s a worry for us.”

Pressed on whether Saka would be out for Sunday’s meeting with City, the Gunners boss added: “I have no clue.”

Saka is the latest in a string of injuries at Arsenal, with the winger one of several potential absentees for Sunday’s clash. Jurrien Timber will be unavailable after an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey are both recovering from muscular issues.

Arteta has faced criticism for continuing to start Saka despite those minor injuries showing signs of fatigue. But the Gunners boss insists this issue is not the result of over-playing.

“It was a knock that he [Saka] had the other day and he was perfectly fine,” Arteta added. “It was a backheel, an action that can produce that kind of injury. Let’s see what the extent of it is and afterwards it’s too late.

“The last few were more knocks than anything else. He hasn’t really missed games. We gave him a break against Brentford last week and that was all.”