Why is Bukayo Saka not playing for Arsenal against Atlético Madrid?

Bukayo Saka returned to the Arsenal squad last weekend for Saturday’s crucial Premier League game against Newcastle United at the Emirates after recovering from an Achilles injury, but he did not make the XI against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.

However, despite his absence from the starting side, the England international’s availability should offer a much-needed boost to the Gunners, who have frittered away a nine-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table and all of a sudden are failing to look like the all-conquering side we have seen until now.

Saka missed Arsenal’s last five games before returning for 10 minutes against Newcastle and now Mikel Arteta’s team take on their Spanish opponents in the final four.

As well as Saka, Eze and Havertz have also been worries for Arsenal ahead of the game. “Kai is out and Ebs is ready to go,” Arteta said before explaining that Havertz “had a little niggle. I don’t know how serious it is. It didn’t look too big. The action, the way he describes it, is not too sharp. But we have to wait and see.”

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