Arsenal’s star winger Bukayo Saka has returned to his club for further medical evaluation after suffering an apparent hamstring injury during England’s 2-1 loss to Greece on Thursday. Bukayo Saka, a key figure for both club and country, was substituted in the 52nd minute after appearing to pull his right hamstring while attempting to deliver a cross at Wembley Stadium. His dejection was evident as he sat on the turf, awaiting medical attention, and was later seen leaving the stadium gingerly.
England manager Lee Carsley confirmed that Bukayo Saka would undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury. “He’s being assessed,” Carsley said during his post-match press conference. “You could see in the build-up to the first goal, he felt something in his leg.” Saka’s exit further compounded a difficult night for England, who fielded an experimental lineup that ultimately fell short against a determined Greek side, with two goals from Vangelis Pavlidis sealing the defeat.
Bukayo Saka to Miss England’s Clash with Finland, Major Doubt for Arsenal
England’s medical team has confirmed that Bukayo Saka will miss the upcoming Nations League match against Finland on Sunday. Instead of traveling with the squad to Helsinki, he will return to Arsenal for further assessment. This development adds to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s concerns, as Bukayo Saka has been an essential part of the Gunners’ success this season, contributing three goals and seven assists in 10 appearances.
Arsenal fans are now anxiously awaiting updates on Bukayo Saka’s condition, especially with the club set to face Bournemouth in their next Premier League fixture. The injury could force Arteta to rethink his strategy for the match, as Bukayo Saka was instrumental in Arsenal’s recent 3-1 win over Southampton, where he not only assisted goals for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli but also found the back of the net himself. Speaking after that match, Arteta acknowledged the challenge of managing Bukayo Saka’s workload, stating, “We have to manage the load of him, but at the moment he’s in a good place.”
England’s Experimental Lineup Fails, Focus Shifts to Finland
Thursday’s defeat to Greece has put pressure on England to secure a result in their next Nations League match against Finland. England manager Lee Carsley, reflecting on the loss, admitted that his experimental lineup did not perform as expected. “Probably won’t try that again on Sunday,” he remarked. The absence of key players, including Harry Kane, influenced his tactical decisions, but Carsley emphasized the need to adapt and find a winning formula ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash.
Carsley confirmed that Kane, who has been recovering from a minor injury, will train with the squad on Friday and is expected to play a pivotal role in England’s attempt to bounce back against Finland. “He has scored a lot of goals,” Carsley noted, highlighting Kane’s importance to the team. While Saka’s absence is a blow, England will look to regroup and deliver a performance that puts them back on track in the Nations League.
Arsenal’s Injury Woes Ahead of Vital Fixtures
Bukayo Saka’s injury is yet another concern for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who recently saw captain Martin Odegaard sidelined during international duty with Norway. With a series of critical fixtures coming up, including matches against Bournemouth, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Liverpool, Bukayo Saka’s potential absence could leave a significant gap in Arsenal’s attacking lineup.
The Gunners are preparing for a busy schedule after the international break. They face Bournemouth in the Premier League on October 19, followed by a Champions League home fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk on October 22. Arsenal will also host Liverpool in a high-stakes Premier League encounter on October 27 before turning their attention to domestic cup and European competition against Preston North End and Inter Milan, respectively. Arteta will be keen to have Saka fit and available, especially with such a congested fixture list ahead.
