Arteta ‘Hopeful’ Saka Will Make England’s World Cup Party

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says that Bukayo Saka “hopefully” only sustained a knock, after the winger was forced off during the first half of Arsenal’s 5-0 emphatic  win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Saka set up Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal inside five minutes at the Emirates Stadium, but the 21-year-old had to be withdrawn shortly before the half-hour mark after going down injured.

With the World Cup kicking off in just three weeks’ time, there was understandably concern from England’s point of view as well as Arsenal’s, but Arteta doesn’t seem overly worried.

Asked after the game whether Saka, born of Nigerian parents from the South Western part of the country who has started all 12 of Arsenal’s League matches might miss the World Cup for his adopted nation, the Gunners boss responded with a measured tone.

“Hopefully not. It was a bad kick. Right from the beginning, he was limping, but I don’t see any further than that. Let’s see how he is in the next couple of days.

In terms of the location of the injury, Arteta added:

“I think both [foot and ankle]. He got kicked a few times and he wasn’t comfortable.”

Saka was replaced by Reiss Nelson, who bagged a brace on his first Premier League appearance of the season as Arsenal went back above Manchester City at the top of the table.

Gareth Southgate has to name his final squad for the World Cup by Sunday, 13 November. The Three Lions begin their campaign in Qatar against Iran on Monday, 21 November.