Bukayo Saka injury: What has Mikel Arteta said? Will he be fit for Arsenal v Man City?

Arsenal could be without a crucial player in Bukayo Saka as they prepare to go head to head with the champions Manchester City. The Gunners looked off the pace without their star man who was subbed off after just 33 minutes during the Champions League defeat to RC Lens.

Saka’s absence played a key role in turning the game against Arsenal who struggled to find the same fluidity without one of their key creators. The defeat leaves Arsenal second in the group stage and still on course to qualify for the round of 16, although they will need to improve on their poor showing in the remaining four group games.

As the dust settles on the defeat, the biggest concern will be the length of the injury to Saka who has suffered a series of knocks in the weeks leading up to the game against Lens.

Saka has been vital to Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta and he managed an impressive 14 goals and 11 assists last term for the North London giants.This form was carried through to the early part of this season where he has managed to record four league goals and two assists along with a goal and two assists in the Champions league.

Arsenal have started the league season in excellent fashion and they are one of just two unbeaten teams in the league along with city-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but they face the biggest test of the season yet when they host reigning league champions Manchester City.

The Gunners have ambitions of reclaiming the Premier League throne for the first time in 20 years but it remains to be seen whether they will have Saka at their disposal for the title showdown.

What has Mikel Arteta said about Bukayo Saka’s injury?

Mikel Arteta has defended his decision to play Bukayo Saka in the Champions League and claims the winger is in contention to feature in some capacity against Man City.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: “Well he is in contention. Let’s see how he progresses from here to Sunday. He had to leave the pitch that’s never good news but let’s see how he recovers.”

Earlier this week, many fans had called on Arteta to rest Saka and were critical of the decision to play him in Europe after a series of minor knocks. Particularly with the title clash against Man City being on the horizion.

Speaking after the Lens defeat, Arteta said: “It was a knock he had the other day and he was perfectly fine. It was backheel, an action that can produce that kind of injury. He tried to backheel a ball in the first half and felt something muscular. He felt uncomfortable to carry on so we had to take him off. He hasn’t really missed games. We gave him a break against Brentford last week and that was all.”

Saka has been a stalwart in Arteta’s team and has started all of the last 87 league games. It remains to be seen whether he can play against City and the Spaniard claims the medical team are still assessing the situation. He added: “Let’s see what the extent of it is. The last few were more knocks than anything else.”

Saka’s return would be a key boost for Arsenal’s frontline against the defending champions, particularly given the absence of fellow wide option Gabriel Martinelli who has missed the last two games with a muscle injury.