Mikel Arteta gives worrying injury update on Bukayo Saka after Arsenal star limped off days before Man City clash
MIKEL ARTETA has given a worrying update on Bukayo Saka's injury status after he went off injured in Arsenal's Champions League defeat to Lens.
The Gunners face off with Manchester City this weekend but could now be without their star man.
Saka was down on the turf in his side's game against Lens for some time before he was replaced by Fabio Vieira after 33 minutes.
The winger had been playing through an aggravated Achilles blow.
Following the game, Arteta provided an update on Saka's condition.
He said: "Bukayo tried a backheel and felt something muscular.
“He felt uncomfortable to carry on so we had to take him off. We don’t know anything more than that but it was big enough that he couldn’t continue to play and that’s a worry for us.
“I don’t regret picking him because the last few injuries were more knocks than strains and he hasn’t really missed any games.
“We gave him a break against Brentford in the Carabao Cup last week and tonight he was perfectly fine.
“Like everyone else, he was really looking forward to playing in a big Champions League night.
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“I’ve no clue if he will be OK for the weekend. Let’s see the extent of what the injury is first.”
The Englishman had helped get Arsenal off to the perfect start by registering an assist in the Champions League group stage game.
However, the Gunners faithful have been left fuming with boss Mikel Arteta for playing Saka just days before their top of the table clash with Man City.
Reacting to the injury, one fan said: "Saka is injured, Arteta had opportunities to look after him better."
A second wrote: "Well done Arteta played Saka half injured and now he will miss our biggest game of the season 🤡."
A third typed: "Two games in a row Saka has gone off with an injury.
"Given the quality options have to rotate, Arteta should not be taking risks with him ahead of City. The sad thing is, we’ve all seen this coming."
On his team's performance, Arteta refused to blame his team’s chaotic build-up for the defeat after his team were delayed for five hours at Luton Airport on the eve of the game.
He said: “Let’s not make any excuses. We started the game really well and got a grip. We were in total control when they equalised.
“The difference between tonight and our first game against PSV is clear. In the penalty area we had four or five really big chances that we didn’t put away and we didn’t defend our box well enough.
“Errors are a part of football. They happen every three or four seconds and we have to adapt to that. But this is what happens in the Champions League.
"Big teams punish you and we didn’t finish them off in the way we did with PSV."
The 22-year-old also limped off with injury during the North Londoners' 4-0 win at Bournemouth.
This news will also come as a major dent to Gareth Southgate's England plans.
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The Three Lions boss is due to name his squad for international matches against Australia and Italy on Thursday.
Saka may now be forced to miss the fixtures in order to nurse his injury.
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