Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he is hopeful Bukayo Saka will feature in the club’s English Premier League clash at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Saka picked up a muscle problem in England’s 2-1 defeat by Greece in the UEFA Nations League last week and missed the Three Lions’ 3-1 win in Finland last Sunday.
The injury caused fears that the 23-year-old, who has scored two goals and registered seven assists in seven league games this season, could miss the Gunners’ trip to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening.
“Saka is not a serious injury. He is evolving really well. He has done a few things in the last two days,” Arteta said at the pre-match press conference on Friday.
“He wasn’t fit enough to play with the national team in the second game but we are hopeful.
“We have a training session this afternoon, he did some bits yesterday, let’s see if he can make it on time.”
The 42-year-old Spanish coach, however, confirmed that Kai Havertz and Martinelli are major doubts for the game.
“He (Havertz) had a few issues and we have been dealing with that. He has been absolutely brilliant,” he said.
“He has very good communication with the national team and the manager. We modified everything we could do here and if he trains well today he has a good chance to be fit and available.
“Gabi (Martinelli) landed yesterday afternoon here so it is a very short time to be with him. Yesterday he went outside to do a little bit and see how he is feeling and today will be another step. [We will see] if we want to take the risk if he is fit because I know what the player is going to say.”
The coach also provided an update on Martin Odegaard’s recovery.
“I think he is not going to be fit for this game. Next week will be a different story but again in that late stage of the rehab, where he is at the moment he is already doing a lot of stuff,” Arteta explained.
“He needs to clear some markers, he needs to clear some things. He needs to feel comfortable, especially with the ball. I think next week will be crucial to see how close he is.”
Arsenal are third in the Premier League table with 17 points, one adrift of leaders Liverpool.
