Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has eased injury fears over Bukayo Saka following the Gunners' goalless draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Saka was unable to represent England during the international break after sustaining a muscle injury, but he was fit to return to Arsenal's starting lineup for their Premier League title showdown against the Citizens.
The winger created one of the Gunners' best opportunities to open the scoring early in the second half when he fizzed a delicious delivery across the six-yard box, with Gabriel Jesus unable to make contact at the back post.
Saka was eventually withdrawn and walked off with an Arsenal physio after being replaced by Gabriel Martinelli in the final 10 minutes with the game still all square, sparking concerns among the Gunners' fanbase over his fitness.
However, Arteta has since provided a positive update on the 22-year-old, insisting that his withdrawal was only due to fatigue.
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Mikel Arteta eases Bukayo Saka injury fears
"As you know [Saka has] been out for a few weeks now with a little problem," Arteta told reporters during his post-match press conference.
"He was feeling that fatigue. Right now he hasn't trained. He trained just one day before the match. He made a big contribution, but 90 minutes was a lot today."
Saka is therefore expected to be in contention to feature in Arsenal's next Premier League clash at home against Luton Town on Wednesday night, pending a fitness test.
Like Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes was fit to start for Arsenal against Man City after shaking off an injury that forced him to withdraw from the Brazil squad during the international break, and the defender successfully completed the full 90 minutes.
Martinelli was also an injury concern ahead of the contest at the Etihad, nursing a cut to his foot, but – as mentioned previously – he was fit to make a cameo substitute appearance.
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Arteta will be keen to see Saka return to full fitness as soon as possible as the Gunners embark on a hectic fixture schedule in April in the Premier League and Champions League.
Wednesday's clash with Luton will be followed just three days later by a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, before a home clash with top-four hopefuls Aston Villa is sandwiched between their tricky two-legged Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich.
Arsenal's 100% record in 2024 has come to an end following their cagey stalemate with Man City, and they have subsequently slipped to second place in the Premier League table, two points behind new leaders Liverpool – who beat Brighton 2-1 at Anfield – and one above Pep Guardiola's side in third.
Nevertheless, Arteta has taken plenty of positives from claiming a point at the Etihad, particularly his side's defensive solidity, and believes that nothing has changed in the title race heading into the final nine games of the campaign.
Oliver Thomas
