Bukayo Saka was forced off in the closing stages of Arsenal’s Champions League win over Sevilla, but Mikel Arteta has sought to calm injury concerns.
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England star forced off against SevillaJapan international also had to be replacedGunners next in action against BurnleyWHAT HAPPENED?
The talismanic England international was replaced in the 85th minute at Emirates Stadium after going down holding his ankle. Saka had landed awkwardly, leading to the discomfort in his lower leg, and limped from the field to spark concerns regarding his involvement in upcoming fixtures for club and country.
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Arteta told reporters when asked for an update on Saka’s fitness: “At the end he wasn’t comfortable to carry on. Hopefully it’s not too much but I’m really pleased with his performance. I think he’s getting used to it (being kicked). I don’t think that’s going to change, especially with the way he plays and the way he attracts players, so he better get used to it because I don’t think it’s going to change. It was just a kick and I was told by the physios on the radio he wasn’t happy to continue. So he will have some discomfort but hopefully I am going to assume he will be OK.”
WHAT THEY SAID
Arsenal will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when playing host to Burnley. Arteta added on potentially having club captain Martin Odegaard and five-goal frontman Eddie Nketiah at his disposal for that contest: “They are racing against the clock to be fit. They tried their best to be here today with us, it wasn’t possible and we have another 48 hours before we play Burnley. We’ll try again and see because we need players at the moment.”
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Arteta also revealed that Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was replaced at the interval against Sevilla after feeling “some discomfort”. No risks were taken on his fitness, with Oleksandr Zinchenko able to step off the bench.