Izuchukwu OkosiArsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given a hint that Anglo-Nigerian forward Bukayo Saka could be involved in Sunday’s high-octane clash with champions Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are yet to win a Premier League game against Pep Guardiola’s team since 2015 albeit have defeated the Cityzens on their way to winning the FA Cup in 2020 and also the Community Shield in August 2023.
Arteta was one of the Premier League managers who faced the media on Friday afternoon in their press conferences ahead of the weekend league games.
On Saka’s fitness, Arteta said:
“Well, he is in contention, we’ll see how he progresses from here to Sunday. Obviously, he had to leave the pitch [against RC Lens], that’s never good news, but let’s see how he recovers.
Speaking on what Saka’s injury was and if the England international had a scan showing no major damage, Arteta said:” I leave that for the doctors. He’s in contention. That’s it, I’m not a doctor. That’s what they told me.
However, the Spaniard confirmed that he has held discussions with England manager Gareth Southgate on how best to utilise the Hale End Academy product after he was named in the Three Lions’ squad for October’s international commitments.
“I have spoken to Gareth on several occasions but I have to do my job. I give him the news and the position that everybody is at, and then we have really good communication.
“He needs to make the best decision for the national team and organising them.
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Ghana international, Thomas Partey is another hugely important Arsenal player who is currently on the mend from an injury setback.
Arteta responded to the question about the possible return to first-team duties for the former Atletico Madrid midfielder.
“Well, he’s ahead of schedule that’s for sure,” the Arsenal gaffer enthused.
“We wanted to have him in the squad if we needed to, the way the game panned out we had other necessities and we didn’t use him. He will be in the squad tomorrow.”
The Arsenal versus Manchester City clashes at 4.30 pm Nigerian time on Sunday evening.
City are atop the Premier League table with 18 points while Arsenal are third with 16 points, the same points as North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
Michael Oliver has been appointed as the centre referee for the match.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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