Mikel Arteta has moved to ease concerns surrounding Bukayo Saka’s fitness after the winger picked up an ankle injury during Arsenal’s recent match against Ipswich Town.
The young England international had to leave the field just before the hour mark after failing to recover from a tough challenge in the first half by Ipswich defender Leif Davis. The tackle, which was considered dangerous, resulted in Davis receiving a straight red card from the referee, underlining the severity of the incident.
Following the final whistle, Saka was seen with an ice pack strapped to his ankle while sitting on the bench, and he appeared to be limping slightly as he made his way out of the stadium and onto the team bus. Given Saka’s crucial role in Arsenal’s squad and the fact that he had only recently returned from a lengthy injury spell, fans and club staff were naturally worried about the potential consequences of this new knock.
Speaking to the press after the game, Arteta sought to ease those fears by providing a positive update on the winger’s condition. “It was a dangerous challenge.
I don’t believe it was intentional, but he didn’t see it coming,” the Arsenal boss explained. He went on to confirm that while Saka experienced some discomfort, there were no signs of a serious injury. “He was a bit sore, but nothing serious — which is a relief,” Arteta added, offering reassurance to the supporters.
Despite his optimism, Arteta admitted that tackles like the one on Saka are always a cause for concern, especially when a player has their back turned to the goal and their foot firmly on the ground, making them more vulnerable to injury. He emphasized the need for caution in such situations to protect players from unnecessary risks.
Saka had only recently made his comeback on April 1st, having spent over three months sidelined after undergoing hamstring surgery. Since his return, he has quickly regained form and has been particularly impressive in Arsenal’s Champions League campaign.
He played a key role in their quarter-final clash against Real Madrid, causing problems for their defense in the first leg and netting an important goal in the second leg at the Bernabeu, helping Arsenal progress to the semi-finals.
Although Arsenal’s chances of claiming the Premier League title are slim, with Liverpool possibly wrapping up the championship soon, their hopes in Europe remain alive. With a tough semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain approaching, keeping Saka healthy will be essential if Arsenal are to chase their first-ever Champions League title.
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