Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka will not play in Saturday’s Premier League match against Everton. The club is waiting for more medical tests to check how bad his muscle injury is.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters on Friday that Saka would have another MRI scan. This is after he got hurt during the Gunners’ Champions League game against Bayern Munich.
Saka had to leave the pitch just 10 minutes into the match at the Allianz Arena. He got injured while trying to make a pass. After the game, Arteta called it “really bad news.”
After returning to England, Arteta said the team needs more scans and talks with specialists to know how serious the injury is.
“He’s got another MRI this afternoon because he had a lot of fluid. We need a few more scans and opinions from the specialists. Let’s be a little bit patient so we can give a definitive answer,” Arteta said in a statement released on Arsenal’s website on Friday.
Arteta showed concern about Saka’s situation but urged fans to wait for a clear answer before jumping to conclusions.
“Obviously when a player has to walk off the pitch, he’s struggling to walk without any pain, he’s restricted to movement, they are not good signs. So again, let’s be a little bit patient so we can give a definitive assessment and then let you know,” he said.
When asked if Saka’s past injuries were affecting his playing style, Arteta said the injuries were different and not just about Saka.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. It’s been muscles, it’s been tendons as well which is something else. That’s not just with Bukayo, with many other players as well,” he stated.
He added that the club discussed injury issues last season and will keep an eye on it.
With Saka out, Arsenal will look at their options for the Everton game and the matches that follow.
Ebere Eze came in for Saka against Bayern Munich and scored to give Arsenal the lead. Teenage forward Max Dowman might also get more playing time.
Arteta praised Eze for how he responded and the impact he had after coming on.
“I’m extremely happy with how Ebz reacted to the previous game and the impact that he had on the team and the performance that he put in,” he said.
Arteta also believes Dowman can make a difference when he plays, reminding everyone of the teenager’s goal in last season's match against Everton.
“He’s training, and every time he’s got a moment to play, he’s showing that he’s a player that is going to impact the game, so for sure he’s going to have minutes,” Arteta said.
Arteta urged Saka to keep a positive mindset during his recovery and to help lift the team’s spirit.
“I already told him to go to the [training ground] and be the first one there with a good spirit and energy because that’s what the team needs,” he said.
Arsenal will play against Everton on Saturday as they look to keep their form while waiting for updates on Saka’s injury.
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