The latest Bukayo Saka injury update has arrived from Mikel Arteta and it seems like Arsenal are confident their star winger will return soon but he’s a doubt for their upcoming game against Crystal Palace.
MORE — Arsenal v Crystal Palace preview, team news, how to watch live
Arsenal fans everywhere where holding their breath when Saka went down under a nasty challenge from Ipswich’s Leif Davis, which saw him shown a straight red card, in the first half of their big 4-0 win on Sunday.
Saka continued and was key in Arsenal’s victory at Ipswich and came off in the second half. But TV cameras showed the Arsenal star with a bag of ice wrapped on his Achilles while he was sat on the bench.
Arsenal host Crystal Palace on Wednesday and it would be surprising to see Saka start in that game given this scare, with the superstar winger likely to be eased in and out of the team in league action as the Gunners focus on their Champions League semifinals against PSG.
Bukayo Saka injury update — Mikel Arteta provides latest update on Saka’s fitness
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the game against Palace, Arteta said it’s possible that Saka could still play against Palace on Wednesday.
“We have to wait and see how he reacts after the situation,” Arteta said. “But it’s nothing too serious. If we want him to, I think he will have a good chance to play tomorrow.”
Speaking after the win at Ipswich on Sunday, Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports the following when asked about Bukayo Saka’s injury: “I didn’t see the tackle, it was quite fast. You have to watch it, it’s a good decision from the referee. He in a bit of pain but thankfully it doesn’t look anything too serious.”
In his post-match press conference Arteta repeated that Saka’s knock was ‘nothing serious’ and that he was a ‘bit sore’ after being caught. Arteta was also asked if he was worried Saka had suffered a serious injury.
“I do, especially with the numbers we have right now and especially when [tackles] are with your back to goal because normally it’s the moment when the foot is planted, your weight is there and you cannot really react to it, but he’s fine,” Arteta said.
On the tackle which hurt Saka, Arteta was asked if the injury could have been worse.
“I haven’t seen it in slow motion, I’ve just seen the normal pace image and yeah, he cuts him from the back,” Arteta explained. “I don’t think it’s intentional at all but obviously it’s dangerous because he cannot really react to anything because you cannot see him coming.”
