Arsenal will be without star winger Bukayo Saka for Sunday’s all-important trip to Manchester City, Mikel Arteta confirmed in a press conference. The Gunners’ attacking talisman hasn’t played since the Carabao Cup final on March 22nd. He is dealing with an Achilles issue that he has been “carrying for a while” according to Arteta.
Speaking earlier this week before the second leg against Sporting, the Arsenal manager said he hoped that the injury would keep his star out for “days not weeks.” Saka is “starting
to do some stuff” towards returning to the pitch, but it’s not clear how quickly he’ll be back in action.
You’d expect Noni Madueke to start in Saka’s place, but the England international is dealing with a knock of his own. The 24-year old was forced off against Sporting after being clattered in the second half. Mikel Arteta said that the problem didn’t look that bad after the match, that Madueke’s availability isn’t guaranteed, but that he is hopeful. My gut is telling me he plays.
As for Arsenal’s other missing players — Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, and Martin Ødegaard — Arteta said they’d wait and see after tomorrow (Saturday’s) training session. He refused to rule any of them out nor give anything more concrete than that. Fun!
