Arsenal managed to squeeze out a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace on Monday but forward Bukayo Saka did not have the best of outings.
Saka started the match on the left wing but he had to be taken off at half-time after he was on the receiving end of a bad tackle from James McArthur in the 43rd minute.
The Palace man was lucky to escape a red card for the incident but Bukayo Saka had to be replaced by Lokonga shortly afterwards.
And speaking about the injury, manager Mikel Arteta has cast doubt over the youngster’s participation against Aston Villa on Friday.
Arteta told Sky Sports, as quoted: ‘We had to take him off because he could not continue.
‘He was very sore in the area. When I look at the action I cannot understand how the player can continue to play.
‘We’ll see how it evolves. He could not continue and he’s a boy that is pretty tough and wants to keep playing, but he could not carry on. We have a quick turnaround after the next game so we will see how it evolves.’
Will Bukayo Saka be fit to play against Aston Villa?
Arsenal take on Villa on Friday and given how nasty the challenge looked, we think this game will come too early for the England international.
James McArthur literally volleys Bukayo Saka in his calf, but escapes with only a yellow card. 🤔 #afc pic.twitter.com/YfMK37HKUt
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) October 18, 2021
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have been two bright sparks for the Gunners this season so this injury will be a fresh blow to Mikel Arteta’s plans.
And given how poorly Nicolas Pepe performed on Monday, Arteta could have a major problem on his hands when he welcomes Villa.
If Bukayo Saka is not ready then Emile Smith Rowe will likely move to the left wing and Arteta will have no other option but to keep Pepe in the starting line up. Martin Odegaard will likely move back to the No 10 role.
We will get to know in the next few days how bad the injury really is but the Arsenal boss will be hoping that the 20-year-old is back early since the Gunners have a key EFL game against Leeds United next week.
