Izuchukwu Okosi
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that injured winger Bukayo Saka will not be able to link up with the England squad for October’s internationals against Australia and Italy.
Saka got an injury in the Gunners’ UEFA Champions League Clash against Lens last week and was a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League meeting against champions Manchester City.
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Despite being declared fit for the game which the Gunners won 1-0 to end a 12-game losing streak against Pep Guardiola’s side since 2015, Saka was not named in the matchday squad by manager Mikel Arteta.
The 22-year-old had been included in Gareth Southgate’s latest England selection last week and was seen arriving with his clubmates on Sunday, but he was ultimately left out of the matchday squad.
An official decision has not yet been made on Saka’s international participation, but Arteta has categorically ruled his attacker out of the ‘Three Lions’ meetings with Australia and Italy.
“No, he could not make it. He has not had a single training session, so he will be out. He’s not available to play football at the moment,” Arteta told the media Sunday evening when asked if Saka would turn out for the Three Lions.
Neither Arteta nor Southgate have disclosed the severity of Saka’s injury, but the latter insisted last week that he would not risk any long-term damage to the Arsenal man, saying:
“We’ve got that responsibility of qualifying for the country, but I’ve been a player.
“I’ve never ever taken a risk on a player’s physical wellbeing, and nor would I. They [Premier League clubs] have trust in us that we make decisions that are right for the long term whenever we can.”
Gabriel Martinelli, who returned from his own hamstring problem ahead of schedule ensured victory for the three-time Premier League champions thanks to a deflected effort off Nathan Ake in the 86th minute.
Following Arteta’s admission, official confirmation of Saka’s withdrawal from the England squad will likely arrive at some point this week, as he joins the likes of Luke Shaw, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Callum Wilson and fellow Anglo-Nigerian Eberechi Eze on the injured list.
It remains to be seen if Southgate calls up a replacement for Saka after the England boss once again overlooked Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling, who responded to that snub by playing a part in three of the Blues’ four goals in their 4-1 thrashing of Burnley on Saturday.
The Three Lions return to action with a friendly against Australia at Wembley on Friday, four days before hosting Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifying game at the same venue, where the Azzurri defeated Southgate’s men on penalties in the Euro 2020 showpiece.
Meanwhile, Arsenal sit level on points with league leaders Tottenham Hotspur thanks to their first league win over Man City since 2015 and meet London rivals Chelsea away from home on October 21 following the international break.
