Mikel Arteta hopes Bukayo Saka will be available for Thursday’s trip

Browse By

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta hopes Bukayo Saka will be available for Thursday’s trip to Manchester United.

Saka struggled with a muscle injury after scoring his first goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle. The England winger is expected to return to training on Wednesday. But will he be ready to enter the game at Old Trafford or not depends on the assessment of the medical team.

Arteta said: “We’re still not sure about Bukayo and the other two injuries from the game at the weekend. 

But today will be the day to assess his physical condition whether he will be ready or not.” “I hope but we still don’t know It was clearly a short recovery period. And the players have to feel good enough to play with minor injuries. So we’ll have to wait and see how he will be from today’s training session.”

Mikel Arteta hopes Bukayo Saka will be available for Thursday’s trip

The 20-year-old winger has been a key figure in Arteta’s attacking line this season, scoring his second in the Premier League. And it’s the third goal from playing 15 games in all competitions this season. It was a total of 13 starts and 12 games in the Premier League.

“Well, we’re not going to risk our players if we believe that that can obviously go against us. Playing with an injury means that he may have to leave the pitch and when someone has to leave the pitch. I believe that he’s injured, even though he’s willing to continue,” explained Arteta.

“That injury can be 24 hours, 72 hours or a year. Bukayo is really willing. He’s been preparing for the last two days because he wants to play and let’s see how he is.”

Should Saka indeed be out, Martinelli’s presence in the side is still not guaranteed with Nicolas Pepe and Martin Odegaard who can also play on the right. Further comments made by Arteta in the presser revealed. That he is willing to continue with players even if they make mistakes.