Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claims that Bukayo Saka is “unlikely” to be fit to face Liverpool this weekend.
The winger is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and, asked about his availability after the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday evening, Arteta said:
“I don’t know [if Saka will be fit to face Liverpool]. He hasn’t been able to train yet so that’s unlikely.”
Considering Arteta is sometimes economical with the truth when it comes to the fitness of his own players, Liverpool fans on X still think that there is a chance that Saka will play:
Could be mind games aswelll tho
— Dylan Murphy 🔴 (@LiverpoolFan_20) October 23, 2024
Which means he’s probably starting then
— Chiesas_era (@_Alex_LFC_) October 22, 2024
Codswallop. He’ll start.
— Dominic Wilson (@Dom7Wilson) October 22, 2024
mindgames
— Sebbe187 (@WesterholmSebbe) October 22, 2024
He will definitely play
— gideon Michael 🦴🐐 (@GideonOgbutor) October 22, 2024
Defo playing
— †Patrick 🔱🎗️ (@sha_lalala_man) October 22, 2024
those are mind games,saka will start
— Eliberts (@Eliberts1) October 22, 2024
Dont believe a word
— Little Joe (@shamelesJoe_) October 22, 2024
I don't trust Arteta😂
— $@©#¡N (@SachGKT18) October 22, 2024
Saka has been out for 2 weeks
The 23-year-old initially picked up the injury when playing for England against Greece earlier this month. At the time, it was played down as a minor niggle.
However, Saka has subsequently missed Arsenal’s fixtures against Bournemouth and Shakhtar. There are still several days to go before the Liverpool clash so the Gunners will give him every opportunity to be fit.
Arsenal will already be without 2 other key players for the Liverpool fixture
Captain Martin Odegaard has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the September international break and he is not expected to make his comeback before the weekend.
William Saliba is also unavailable, having picked up a one-match domestic suspension following his red card versus Bournemouth last Saturday.
Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
