Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta left Bukayo Saka out of his starting lineup to face Shakhtar Donetsk – and he may not recover from his injury in time to face Liverpool.
The winger didn’t feature for the Gunners at the weekend when they tasted defeat for the first time this season, losing 2-0 away to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old was left out of the squad due to an injury he picked up while on international duty. He was taken off in the 51st minute of England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley.
Arteta initially said it was “not a serious injury”, but it appears Saka may be sidelined for longer than hoped.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta delivers Bukayo Saka injury update
Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s kickoff in the Champions League, the Basque native explained why the player wasn’t in his matchday squad.
“He wasn’t feeling good and it wasn’t good news,” Arteta told TNT Sports when asked for an update on Saka’s condition.
Arsenal face Liverpool at the weekend in a hugely important game in the fight for the Premier League title, but Arteta is not confident he will be fit to play. “At the moment I am not hopeful, but let’s see,” he said.
With Martin Odegaard injured, Jurrien Timber still trying to regain fitness and William Saliba suspended for Sunday’s match, Saka’s absence would be a major blow for the north London outfit.
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