LATEST NEWS: Bukayo Saka’s injury might turn out to be an unexpected advantage for Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka is currently “being assessed” after sustaining an injury during England’s Nations League loss to Greece on Thursday night. His early exit, limping off in the 50th minute due to a leg injury, caused widespread concern among Arsenal supporters.
The Arsenal winger has undergone scans to determine the severity of the injury, but neither England nor the Gunners have yet confirmed the extent of the damage. After the match, interim England manager Lee Carsley commented, “During the build-up to the first goal, it was evident that he felt something in his leg.”
Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture isn’t until next week when they face Bournemouth on the south coast on Saturday, October 19. Whether Saka will recover in time for that game will become clearer as the week progresses. However, there is a possibility that this injury could turn out to be a hidden benefit for Arsenal.
England’s next Nations League game is against Finland on Sunday, but due to his injury against Greece, Saka is unlikely to feature. Should the scans reveal only a minor issue, a period of extra rest might be exactly what Saka needs, which could ultimately benefit Arsenal. As one of the club’s most vital players, he plays a crucial role in Mikel Arteta’s system, but there’s also the looming risk of burnout due to his heavy involvement.
If, and it’s an important if, the injury is indeed minor, Saka—who would have likely started against Finland if fit—will get the opportunity to rest and might be fully refreshed for the upcoming Bournemouth match at the Vitality Stadium.
A full week of rest could be highly beneficial for him. However, this depends entirely on how serious the leg injury is. If the injury turns out to be more severe, Saka’s absence would be a significant blow to Arsenal. Still, Arteta does have capable replacements available to step in.