Bukayo Saka could be in doubt for both facing Brentford in the Carabao Cup in midweek and for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth after missing training on Tuesday.
The England starlet was a lynchpin in Arsenal’s hardy north London derby clash against Tottenham on Sunday, scoring from the penalty spot in the second-half.
But when he was substituted in the dying moments of the weekend tie, it was with some difficulty that he made his way off the pitch at the Emirates.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed his doubts in the star player’s fitness in the club’s press conference ahead of meeting their London rivals on Wednesday, telling reporters: ‘He was limping quite badly after the match (against Tottenham).
‘We had to get him off the field. He hasn’t been able to participate in the session.
‘It’s a possibility (that he could miss playing Bournemouth).’
Whilst unlikely to start in the opening rounds of the league cup competition, the possibility of Saka missing out on Premier League action coupled with the chance the forward could miss on travelling to Lens for the Gunners’ next Champions League clash could give some fans cause for concern.
Declan Rice is also in doubt after a fractious derby meeting, with Arteta confirming that the £100million man had also not been involved in training since.
‘He has not trained yet,’ Arteta continued. ‘He could not carry on in the game. Hopefully it is not something big.
‘We are confident (it is not serious, but) he is still uncomfortable. Hopefully it will progress in the next few days.’
Rice was swapped for Jorginho at half-time after picking up a suspected back injury.
But the former Chelsea midfielder was a lacklustre substitute for the England star, and had his pocket picked by James Maddison in the build up to Son Heung-min’s second goal, and Tottenham’s equaliser.
Both Rice and Saka have been crucial for Arteta since the start of the season, with both players making the XI at kick-off in every match of Arsenal’s campaign thus far.
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