Bukayo Saka injured ankle during Arsenal’s win over Nottingham Forest but Mikel Arteta plays down injury | Football News
England’s Bukayo Saka limped off injured during Arsenal’s win over Nottingham Forest, raising concerns about whether he will be fit for the World Cup, which begins in three weeks’ time.
The Arsenal forward was outstanding early on during the match on Sunday, setting up Gabriel Martinelli’s opener with a fine cross. But on 27 minutes he was forced off the field, limping straight down the tunnel after briefly receiving attention to his ankle.
Saka – set to be a key figure for England boss Gareth Southgate in Qatar – appeared to injure himself during a challenge with Forest defender Renan Lodi.
When asked if Saka’s injury could rule him out of the World Cup, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “Hopefully not. It was a bad kick, he was limping but I don’t see it further than that. It was both [foot and ankle], he got kicked a few times.”
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (left) and Nottingham Forest’s Renan Lodi battle for the ball
“You hope he’s alright because he’s played a lot of football recently and he’s so key for Arsenal and England,” Clinton Morrison told Sky Sports News at the time of Saka’s withdrawal.
Arsenal went on to win the match 5-0, with Saka’s replacement Reiss Nelson scoring twice and setting up another, but there is now concern about 21-year-old Saka, who has four goals and four assists in the Premier League this season.
Bukayo Saka leaves the pitch after picking up an injury in Arsenal’s match against Nottingham Forest
Southgate is due to name his final 26-man squad for the World Cup on November 14, with the tournament starting on November 20. England’s first fixture comes a day later on November 21 against Iran.
More to follow…
