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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta offered hope to Gunners and England fans after Bukayo Saka hobbled off injured in the first half of Sunday’s win over Nottingham Forest. The Three Lions winger went down twice before admitting defeat, sparking concern that the knock could impact his chances of appearing at the World Cup next month.
Saka tormented Forest left-back Renan Lodi early in the game and took a few kicks in the process. The 21-year-old played a crucial role in the opener as his cross was headed in by Gabriel Martinelli to kick-start a dominant home display.
But another Lodi challenge saw Saka slump to the turf and eventually go off injured. His replacement, Reiss Nelson, had a superb afternoon as he notched two goals and one assist to help the Gunners to a resounding 5-0 victory.
Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard also got on the scoresheet to catapult Arsenal back to the top of the table following Manchester City’s win over Leicester on Saturday. After the final whistle, thoughts soon turned back to the Saka substitution.
When asked whether it could keep him out of the World Cup, Arteta told reporters: “Hopefully not. It was a bad kick that he suffered right at the start of the game, he was limping for a bit.
“But I don’t see it as anything further than that.” When quizzed on the nature of the injury and whether it affected Saka’s ankle, leg or foot, the Spaniard continued: “I would say everything. He got kicked a few times.”
“All his team-mates and the staff are so happy for him,” explained Arteta after the game. “He’s a kid that’s changing, evolving and maturing. He’s showing how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity to come on and help us win the game.”
The Gunners have four more fixtures to cram in before domestic action pauses for the World Cup. On Thursday, they host FC Zurich in the Europa League before a dauting trip to face Chelsea next weekend.
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