Arsenal are reportedly sweating over the fitness of Bukayo Saka for next weekend's Premier League contest with fellow title challengers Manchester City.
The 22-year-old has been in impressive form for the Gunners during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 16 goals and registering 13 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions.
Saka has 13 goals and eight assists in the Premier League this season, with Mikel Arteta's side currently top of the table, one point clear of third-placed Man City.
However, the forward's fitness will need to be assessed, as he was forced to pull out of the England squad during the current international break due to an injury problem.
Saka had been in line to represent his country in the friendlies with Brazil and Belgium before it was revealed that he had left the camp to return to his club.
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"Bukayo Saka has left the England camp and returned to his club for continued rehabilitation. The Arsenal forward reported to St. George's Park with an injury and has been unable to participate in training," England said in a statement last week.
According to football.london, Saka has a 'minor muscle problem', with his withdrawal from the England squad believed to have been a precaution.
However, the report claims that it is not guaranteed he will be available for the clash against Man City, with Arsenal needing to make checks on his fitness throughout the next week.
The forward has only missed one Premier League match this season, which was Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Pep Guardiola's side at the Emirates Stadium back in October.
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The Gunners entered the international break off the back of four straight wins in all competitions, including a penalty-shootout success over Porto in the Champions League.
Arsenal have also been victorious in their last eight Premier League matches, responding impressively to successive losses to West Ham United and Fulham at the end of last year.
Arteta's side will take on Man City, Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion in the league before hosting Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Arsenal still have two players in the England squad in the shape of Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice, but Ben White signalled that he did not want to be considered for international selection.
Matt Law
