Bukayo Saka faces a race against time to be fit for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth
Alan Shearer has described Bukayo Saka as “absolutely sensational” as the Arsenal winger battles to be fit in time for the Gunners’ Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta’s side travel to the south coast on Saturday knowing they can go top of the league with a win, with Man City and Liverpool playing on Sunday. It’s unclear at this stage if Saka will play a part in the match, however, after the 23-year-old picked up an injury while playing for England in the Nations League defeat to Greece on Thursday.
Saka was taken off in the second half after appearing to pick up an injury to his right leg and has returned to the Gunners where he will be assessed by medical staff. Many feared Saka had sustained a hamstring injury but Lee Carsley has suggested the Hale Ender’s knock is not that serious.
As reported by the Mirror, the England medical staff believe Saka might have made the Finland game on Sunday but, having played just three days earlier, they did not want to take a gamble on his fitness so he did not even travel to Finland with the rest of the squad. Carsley added: “Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him. He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine.”
Saka has been in sensational form for Arsenal this season, contributing to 10 goals in 10 appearances. Should the Englishman not feature against Bournemouth, it would be a big blow to Arteta’s hopes of picking up all three points.
Former Premier League striker Shearer has praised Saka’s talent and resilience, which perhaps tells Arteta that he must try and play the Gunners No.7 at any cost. Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: “Bukayo Saka is absolutely sensational in everything he does. He gets whacked every single game, people try to double up on him, kick him and he just goes out and performs with such consistency.
“He’s an incredible talent, has a great personality and he’s just impossible not to like. His attitude is second to none; think of the way he has responded to what happened to him with England in 2021, and the way he’s moved on from it.
“He’s just a phenomenal talent, and he’s so gutsy and tough as well. I’ve been there where everyone is trying to mark you out of the game and it’s tough. You can bet your bottom dollar that he’s the talk of the opposition dressing room before games. Many have tried but not many have stopped him. He’s just incredible, almost impossible to stop, and such a wonderful talent.”