England and Arsenal on collision course over Bukayo Saka’s injury

England and Arsenal could be on a collision course over Bukayo Saka, with the winger still expected to report for international duty despite being ruled out of contention by Mikel Arteta.

After starting a club-record 87 Premier League matches in a row, the 22-year-old missed his side’s 1-0 victory over title rivals Manchester City on Sunday after picking up a slight hamstring injury during Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Lens.

Following the win over City, Arteta immediately ruled Saka out of the international break, with England set to take on Australia and Italy.

England want to assess Saka themselves

But with a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy still over a week away, England want to assess Saka themselves before ruling him out of the contest.

According to The Evening Standard, the Football Association expect Saka to report for duty at St George’s Park on Monday along with the rest of the squad.

The winger has become a key part of Gareth Southgate’s side and with so many injuries already to contend with, the Three Lions boss wants to give Saka every opportunity to play.

Arsenal would prefer Saka is given a rest

That stance could upset Arsenal, though, who would prefer the forward is given a rest during the duration of the international break before returning to action fully fit and refreshed in time to face Chelsea on October 21.

Saka has struggled with a number of different injury niggles this season and has often played through the pain, but Arsenal feel he needs a break.

Speaking about whether he would risk Saka, Southgate said last week: ‘I’ve been a player and I’ve never, ever taken a risk on a player’s physical well-being. And nor would I!’

He continued: ‘We’ve obviously got a very important qualifier. We look after the players as well as any country. We have really good dialogue with all of their clubs. They have trust in us that we make decisions that are right for the long-term whenever we can.

‘We only have 10 matches a year. And there’s been times when with Bukayo, for example, we haven’t always played him. But there are certain key games where if it’s possible to have your best players then you do want to have them.’

Conclusion

It remains to be seen how this situation will play out, but it looks like England and Arsenal could be heading for a collision course over Bukayo Saka’s injury. The winger is still expected to report for international duty despite being ruled out of contention by Mikel Arteta, and England want to assess him themselves before ruling him out of the contest against Italy.

However, Arsenal would prefer Saka is given a rest during the duration of the international break before returning to action fully fit and refreshed in time to face Chelsea on October 21.