Bukayo Saka injury latest after Manchester United setback | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has played down concerns of an injury to Bukayo Saka following his substitution against Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium, in London, on May 4, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka was forced off towards the end of Sunday’s match against Manchester United, hobbling around the pitch in the 82nd minute before being replaced by Gabriel Jesus.

With Arsenal having a potential title decider against Everton on Sunday, and the European Championships coming up after that, there will be some concern around Saka’s fitness status.

But Mikel Arteta suggested the problem wasn’t anything serious, telling his press conference: “Yeah, he should be fine.”

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on April 6, 2024. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Saka appears to have been carrying an injury this season, but it’s only forced him out of action completely on a couple of occasions.

The winger missed one league game in October and one in April, but he’s started the other 35, making the lineup whenever he’s available to be in the squad.

The lack of a serious break has meant Arsenal have had to manage the 22-year-old in other ways, regularly withdrawing him from matches before the 90 minutes are up.

Yet Saka almost always returns to the pitch for the next game, which is a testament to his perseverance.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at London Stadium on February 11, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

If Arteta doesn’t think the injury against Manchester United was particularly serious for Saka, you’d expect him to push through and play against Everton at the weekend.

After that, it will be a short break before the internationals kick off, with Saka guaranteed to play a significant role for England this summer.