Arsenal to hold talks with England medics over Saka's fitness

10/05/2023 Soccer

Arsenal will hold a ‘Bukayo Saka summit’ with England medics over star player after Gareth Southgate’s call-up… amid concerns over the midfielder’s overall fitness

  • There is a strong sense that the 22-year-old would benefit from a rest period
  • But the talented attacker could yet feature in Arsenal’s key clash against City 
  • CLICK HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ 

Arsenal are set to hold talks with England medics following Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City, amid concerns over Bukayo Saka’s overall fitness.

Despite injury concerns about Saka heading into the international break, Gareth Southgate selected the attacker in his squad to face Australia and Italy.

There is a strong sense at Arsenal that Saka would benefit from a rest after Sunday’s game against champions City, regardless of whether he is deemed fit enough to face Pep Guardiola’s side.

Saka limped off in the first half of Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League defeat in Lens, suffering with a suspected minor hamstring strain and a blow to his thigh.

The 22-year-old’s fitness is being assessed on a day-by-day basis ahead of Sunday’s game against City at the Emirates Stadium.

Bukayo Saka was unable to see out the first half after picking up an injury in Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Lens

Mikel Arteta has said ‘it doesn’t look good’ for the attacker but player assessments are ongoing

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Arsenal and England medics have already spoken about Saka’s availability and Southgate has decided to select the winger, although the manager has admitted the situation could change.

‘He’s still being assessed as they’ve obviously got a big game this weekend and then there’s another seven days before we play Australia and 11 days before we play Italy, so everybody will monitor everything as we go forward,’ said Southgate.

Arsenal and England medical staff plan to speak after Sunday’s game to discuss whether Saka should remain part of the international squad this time around.

Whether Saka plays against City is likely to be key to his inclusion in England’s plans. There is a sense at Arsenal that resting Saka during the international break is the best course of action, but an argument for the forward withdrawing from the squad next week would appear less convincing if he plays against City on Sunday.

‘I can only go via what Mikel (Arteta) has said about the last few games,’ said Southgate. ‘He is in contention for the weekend and we’ve obviously got a very important qualifier.

‘We look after the players as well as any country. We have really good dialogue with all of their clubs, I think they pretty much all would agree that we give better feedback than every other nation. Bukayo, for example, we haven’t always played. I’ve never ever taken a risk on a player’s physical wellbeing. And nor would I.’

Gareth Southgate has stressed that he would never risk a player’s physical wellbeing when asked about Saka’s inclusion for the next spate of internationals

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