Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on Bukayo Saka’s fitness, revealing the winger’s injury is “nothing serious” and he has a “good chance to play” in Wednesday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
Saka sparked concern after limping off during Arsenal’s emphatic 4-0 win over Ipswich, following a rough first-half tackle from Leif Davis that earned the defender a red card. Though Saka continued for a while, fans feared he might miss Arsenal’s crucial Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week.
Arteta: “If He Wants to Play, He Plays”
Speaking ahead of the midweek fixture, Arteta reassured fans:
“We have to wait and see how he reacts after the training session, but it’s nothing too serious… If we want to, I think he would have a good chance to play tomorrow.”
Despite being 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool, Arteta hinted he may still field a full-strength squad, including Saka:
“When the players are fit and available and want to play, they have to play. They are at their best when they are consistent, physically and emotionally ready.”
Champions League Looms Large
The Palace clash will be Arsenal’s final game before their first appearance in a Champions League semi-final since 2009. Arteta admitted the extra rest after the Palace fixture would be beneficial.
“It’s good to have a little gap because we are really short in numbers… Let’s take the opportunity first of all, earn the right to win the game tomorrow and prepare well for PSG.”
Team News: Calafiori, Jorginho Out
Arteta confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori remains sidelined, while Jorginho is also out for several weeks.
A win for Arsenal against Crystal Palace would delay Liverpool’s Premier League title celebrations, keeping the pressure on Arne Slot’s side for a few more days.
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“Our incentive is to win our game and do our best to continue with our run. The rest we cannot control,” Arteta concluded.
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