ARSENAL
Bukayo Saka injury update: Arsenal fitness issues for Burnley game
The Englishman was substituted in the Gunners’ win over Sevilla. Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah are also a doubt for the Premier League clash.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka picked up a knock on his ankle in Wednesday’s victory over Sevilla, sparking concern that he might miss the Gunners’ Premier League fixture this weekend.
Saka was substituted in the 85th minute of the Champions League clash after landing awkwardly on his ankle. The Englishman had played a club-record 87 successive top flight games for Arsenal, before suffering a muscular issue last month.
Speaking after the Sevilla game Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested that Saka’s injury situation was not serious.
“At the end he wasn’t comfortable to carry on. Hopefully it’s not too much but I’m really pleased with his performance,” Arteta said.
“It was just a kick and I was told by the physios on the radio he wasn’t happy to continue. So he will have some discomfort but hopefully I am going to assume he will be ok.”
Will Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah play against Burnley?
The Gunners return to Premier League action on Saturday for the visit of Burnley, who have won just one of their opening 11 league fixtures. Arsenal will be expected to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Newcastle United, but could be without other key players.
Captain Martin Odegaard was absent for the trip to Newcastle and is a doubt for the Burnley clash. Likewise Eddie Nketiah could also miss out after picking up a knock in the Newcastle game.
After the Sevilla victory, Mikel Arteta admitted that he is unsure if Odegaard and Nketiah will return in time for Saturday’s game.
“They are racing against the clock to be fit,” he explained.
“They tried their best to be here today with us, it wasn’t possible and we have another 48 hours before we play Burnley. We’ll try again and see because we need players at the moment.”
Arsenal are also expected to be without Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey, who both picked up injuries last month. The Gunners have just on more game until the November international break; a chance for Arteta’s depleted squad to regroup after suffering a series of injuries.