Gareth Southgate Takes No Chances with Bukayo Saka Injury
England manager Gareth Southgate has insisted he will take no risks with Bukayo Saka’s fitness during the upcoming international break. Saka is a doubt for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City this weekend after he was forced off in the first half of the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat to Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
The 22-year-old has been hampered by an Achilles injury since the end of last season, while Mikel Arteta has been accused of over-playing the winger after he was substituted late on in the 4-0 win against Bournemouth last weekend.
Despite this, Saka has been included in England’s squad for their friendly against Australia and the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy later this month, but Southgate is adamant that he will take no chances with the winger’s injury concerns.
“I can only go via what Mikel has said about the last few games,” said Southgate. “He is in contention for the weekend so we’ve obviously got a very important qualifier. We look after the players as well as any country. There’s always a focus on our players because they are playing their club football, in the main, in England and then we are playing here as well. Whereas all the other countries call the players that are playing in the Premier League and nobody looks at how they look after them and how they train them.”
Southgate went on to explain that he has never taken a risk on a player’s physical wellbeing and that he will continue to make decisions that are right for the long-term whenever possible.
“We only have 10 matches a year. And there’s been times when… Bukayo, for example, we haven’t always played. But there are certain key games where, if it’s possible to have your best players, then you do want to have them. So we’ve got that responsibility of qualifying for the country but, I’ve been a player. I’ve never ever taken a risk on a player’s physical wellbeing. And nor would I.”
It remains to be seen whether Saka will be fit enough to feature for England later this month, but it is clear that Southgate is taking no chances with his injury concerns. With Arsenal facing a crucial clash against Manchester City this weekend, it is likely that Saka will be given time to rest and recover before making his return to international duty.
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