Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is reportedly optimistic about his chances of being fit for Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth despite suffering an injury scare on international duty.
The England attacker left the pitch with a suspected hamstring problem in the second half of Thursday's 2-1 UEFA Nations League loss to Greece to Greece, and he was seen holding the back of his leg as he trudged off.
Saka was subsequently sent home from the England camp for further assessment, thus sitting out their 3-1 victory over Finland on Sunday, although interim boss Lee Carsley confirmed that he was close to making the cut.
"Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him," Carsley told a press conference. "He's a positive person and I expect him to be fine."
Now, The Athletic reports that Saka is indeed confident about his chances of being ready for the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday evening, allowing Mikel Arteta to breathe a little bit easier after several international break-related injury scares.
Saka being assessed by Arsenal medics before Bournemouth clash
© Imago
While the 23-year-old is hopeful that he will be able to take part at the Vitality Stadium this weekend, he is still being assessed by medical staff, and no definitive decision over his involvement has been made just yet.
Saka's availability would be a monumental boost to Arteta, who has witnessed the Hale End graduate go from strength to strength once again this season, acting as Arsenal's chief creator with Martin Odegaard also sidelined.
Saka has had a direct hand in 10 goals in as many games this season - three of his own and seven assists - and he has set up a goal in six of his seven Premier League matches so far in the current campaign.
No player in the division boasts more assists than Saka's seven, and the 23-year-old scored one of his own and set up another in the 3-1 come-from-behind win over Southampton before the October hiatus.
Despite often being on the receiving end of rough treatment from the opposition - drawing the joint fifth-most fouls of any player in the 2023-24 Premier League season - Saka has only ever missed 15 matches for club and country through injury or illness.
Could any other Arsenal players return for Bournemouth clash?
© Imago
Saka is not expected to be the only Arsenal player to shake off a concern in time for the trip to the Vitality Stadium, as the Gunners are keeping their fingers crossed that Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey will both be available too.
Havertz withdrew from the Germany squad with a knee problem, while Ghana midfielder Partey left his national team camp due to unspecified 'medical issues', but neither man is thought to be at serious risk of missing out this weekend.
However, Arsenal have been handed a fresh scare over Gabriel Martinelli, who is being assessed for a calf injury by Brazil's medical staff, and captain Odegaard is said to have suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle problem.
Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko are also working their way back from issues, and it is not clear if any of them will be available for the encounter with Bournemouth.
Arsenal entered the international break third in the Premier League table, level on 17 points with Manchester City and just one adrift of current leaders Liverpool, whom they face on October 27..
Ben Knapton
