Mikel Arteta provides Arsenal Bukayo Saka injury update after World Cup scare in Forest victory
Mikel Arteta provides Arsenal Bukayo Saka injury update after World Cup scare in Forest victory
Mikel Arteta gave a positive update on Bukayo Saka as his injury overshadowed Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners went 1-0 up in the fifth minute through Gabriel Martinelli, but their afternoon took a turn as the star winger was withdrawn with a suspected ankle injury in the opening half an hour.
Shortly after setting up their opener, the youngster was seen hobbling back onto the pitch after colliding with the advertising board.
He then carried on playing despite clearly hurting his left ankle.
Saka went down again not long after that after being challenged, but got back on his feet and continued.
As the game edged towards the half hour mark, though, he was on the floor again, clutching his ankle and calling for medical attention.
Mikel Arteta then withdrew the England international, who is due to be travelling to the World Cup with the Three Lions next month, marking a worrying moment for both the Gunners boss and Gareth Southgate.
The tournament in Qatar starts in exactly three weeks time, with England facing Iran on Monday, November 21.
Southgate already has a number of injury concerns heading into the tournament with the likes of Reece James, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Kalvin Phillips all battling to be ready.
The 21-year-old was replaced by Reiss Nelson in the 27th minute, the youngsters first appearance since the opening game of last season – the loss away at Brentford.
Saka’s fellow Arsenal academy graduate rose to the challenge, too, scoring twice and assisting another one of his side’s goals in what was a five star performance for the Gunners.
Fortunately for the Gunners, Arteta gave a positive outlook for the winger.
He said: “Hopefully not [the World Cup in doubt]. It was a bad kick, he was limping but I don’t see it further than that. Both foot and ankle, he got kicked a few times.”
