Mikel Arteta has moved to calm fears over Bukayo Saka’s fitness following a worrying ankle injury sustained during Arsenal’s recent victory over Ipswich Town.
The England international was forced off the pitch just before the hour mark after failing to recover from a rough tackle in the first half by Ipswich defender Leif Davis.
The challenge was deemed dangerous enough by the referee to warrant a straight red card, highlighting the severity of the incident.
After the game, Saka was seen with ice strapped to his ankle while sitting on the bench and appeared to be limping as he left the stadium and boarded the team coach.
Given his vital role in the team and his recent return from a lengthy injury layoff, many Arsenal fans were understandably anxious about the potential long-term implications of the knock.
Addressing the situation, Arteta provided a reassuring update. “He cuts him from the back. I don’t think it was intentional, but it was definitely dangerous. He couldn’t react because he didn’t see it coming,” the Arsenal manager explained during his post-match press conference.
While the tackle caused concern, Arteta confirmed that Saka only felt a bit of soreness and had not suffered any serious injury. “He was a bit sore but it’s nothing serious, so that’s good,” Arteta said, offering relief to both fans and club staff alike.
Arteta did admit, however, that challenges like the one on Saka can be particularly worrying, especially when a player has their back to the goal and their foot is firmly planted. “Those are the moments when players are most vulnerable,” he added, underlining his concern over potential long-term injuries from such tackles.
Saka had only recently returned to action on April 1st, marking his first appearance of 2025 after spending over three months on the sidelines due to hamstring surgery.
Since his return, he has made a significant impact, particularly in the Champions League. He starred in Arsenal’s quarter-final tie against Real Madrid, tormenting their defense in the first leg and then scoring a crucial goal in the return leg at the Bernabeu—helping the Gunners secure a famous victory.
Although Arsenal may fall short in the Premier League title race again, with Liverpool potentially sealing the championship as early as Wednesday if the Gunners lose to Crystal Palace, their dream of Champions League glory remains alive.
With a semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon, keeping Saka fit will be absolutely vital if Arsenal are to capture their first-ever Champions League trophy.
