Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on Bukayo Saka ahead of Arsenal’s huge Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Speaking to the press via Football London, the Arsenal manager said that the 20-year-old attacker was yet to train following an injury suffered in the Gunners’ 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The foul on Saka saw James McArthur receive a yellow card. However, video replays later showed that the Palace man should have been dismissed for the challenge.
Moreover, the tackle saw Saka come off with an injury, and Arteta has today given an update on the attacker. And from the sounds of it, it isn’t positive news for the Arsenal superstar.
When asked about Saka, Arteta said: “He hasn’t trained yet. So we have to assess today and see how he is.” With the winger now likely a doubt for tomorrow, the Gunners could be without one of their most important players in a must-win fixture.
Whilst the Gunners do have depth out on the wings, there’s no denying that Saka will be a huge miss if he is to sit out Friday’s match against Villa. A win could inject new confidence into an Arsenal side that are dejected after two straight draws in the league.
Saka update could be a massive blow for Arsenal
Eight games into the season, and the hope of Arsenal qualifying for Europe already looks slim. Despite a decent run in September, two draws against Brighton and Palace have brought the Gunners back to Earth. And this latest update on Saka doesn’t help matters.
The England international is one of Arteta’s most important players. And his potential absence on Friday will be a huge blow to Arsenal given how crucial Saka is to the system the Gunners operate.
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