Bukayo Saka could be in doubt for Arsenal's league clash this weekend

09/26/2023 Soccer

Bukayo Saka is a doubt for Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Saturday after LIMPING off the pitch after the north London derby… with Declan Rice also unable to train due a back injury

  • The England international got onto the scoresheet with a penalty against Spurs 
  • Declan Rice was substituted at half-time with a suspected back issue
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Bukayo Saka is a doubt for Arsenal’s matches against Brentford in the Carabao Cup tomorrow and for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth after missing training on Tuesday.

The England star played a crucial role in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday, scoring from the penalty spot in the second half and also registering an assist.

But he looked in discomfort when he was substituted in the dying stages of the match at the Emirates. 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed his doubts in the star player’s fitness in the club’s press conference ahead of the meeting with Brentford. He said: ‘He was limping quite badly after the match (against Tottenham). 

‘We had to get him off the field. He hasn’t been able to participate in the session. 

Bukayo Saka is in doubt to feature in both of Arsenal’s next two matches after missing training

Mikel Arteta suggested that it was a possibility Saka could miss Saturday’s game against Bournemouth

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‘It’s a possibility (that he could miss playing Bournemouth).’ 

Whilst unlikely to start in the opening rounds of the league cup competition, the possibility of Saka missing out on Premier League action coupled with the chance the forward might not be fit for the Champions League clash against Lens next week could give some fans cause for concern. 

Declan Rice is also a doubt, with Arteta confirming that the £105million man had also not been involved in training since the Spurs game.

‘He has not trained yet,’ Arteta continued. ‘He could not carry on in the game. Hopefully it is not something big.

‘We are confident (it is not serious, but) he is still uncomfortable. Hopefully it will progress in the next few days.’

Rice was swapped for Jorginho at half-time after picking up a suspected back injury. 

But the former Chelsea midfielder struggled when he came on, and had his pocket picked by James Maddison in the build up to Son Heung-min’s second equaliser.

Rice and Saka have been crucial for Arteta since the start of the season. 

Declan Rice (centre) was substituted at half-time after picking up a back injury on Sunday

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