Mikel Arteta expresses deep concern over Bukayo Saka’s injury ahead of a crucial showdown, following the English forward’s early departure from the pitch during Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to RC Lens.
Saka, a key player for Arteta over the past three seasons and a record-breaker for the club in terms of consecutive Premier League appearances, has shown incredible durability.
The heavy workload has sparked fears among Arsenal fans that the young star might face a breaking point
Those fears materialized when Saka, just 22 years old, was seen clutching the back of his hamstring and had to be substituted in the 34th minute with Fabio Vieira taking his place. Arteta, in a post-match statement, did not sound optimistic about the injury.
“He [Saka] tried to backheel a ball in the first half,” Arteta conveyed. “He felt something.
It was muscular. He was uncomfortable and we had to take him off. We don’t know anything more than that. It was big enough not to allow him to play the rest of the game and that is a worry for us.”
This unfortunate injury timing is highly inconvenient for Arsenal as they gear up for a monumental clash against potential title rivals Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.