Bukayo Saka injury update | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed the club chose to leave Bukayo Saka out of the squad for their trip to Bournemouth, citing a cautious approach as they manage his return from injury.

The winger, pivotal for both club and country, sustained a hamstring injury during England’s recent international defeat to Greece (2-1), and subsequently missed the match against Finland, as well as Arsenal’s outing at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England reacts as he leaves the field to be substituted after receiving medical treatment to an injury during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Despite optimistic comments from Arteta during his pre-match press conference on Friday, when he indicated that the 23-year-old’s recovery was on track, Arsenal decided against risking Saka.

Speaking after the team was announced for Bournemouth, Arteta said, “We tried the last few days but he didn’t have the right feeling. There was no point pushing him and we have very good options as well.”

Saka’s absence was certainly felt as Arsenal stumbled to a surprising 2-0 defeat, missing the opportunity to move to the summit of the English Premier League.

In one of the most unexpected results of the season so far, the Gunners imploded against Bournemouth, failing to capitalise on a chance to move above Liverpool and Manchester City.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal leaves the pitch after receiving a red card, as Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The match took a decisive turn after William Saliba received a red card in the first half, leaving Arsenal with 10 men. The French centre-back was dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, following an intervention from VAR official and Liverpool supporter, Jarred Gillett, who advised referee Robert Jones to upgrade the initial yellow card to a straight red.

Ryan Christie opened the scoring for Bournemouth in the 70th minute, and Justin Kluivert‘s penalty nine minutes later sealed the win for the Cherries.

Arteta, when reflecting on Saliba’s sending-off, maintained a resigned stance regarding the decision. “The decision has been made, so that’s it,” he said, effectively confirming that Arsenal would not appeal the red card.

The suspension means that Saliba will miss Arsenal’s crucial fixture against Liverpool next weekend.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Match Referee, Robert Jones shows a yellow card to William Saliba of Arsenal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Arteta also offered his perspective on VAR’s intervention, stating, “I don’t know, they have their own process and decided to do it that way, that’s it.”

The defeat leaves Arsenal third in the league, a point behind Liverpool and level with Manchester City, having played one more match than both of their rivals, who are in action on Sunday.

Arteta’s comment that it is “hard enough to play here 11 against 11” highlighted just how difficult the afternoon became after Saliba’s dismissal.

With Arsenal’s third red card of the season, the manager also suggested that the discipline issue had become “an accident waiting to happen.”