Mikel Arteta plays down fears Bukayo Saka is nursing an Achilles injury

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down fears that Bukayo Saka is nursing an Achilles injury and expects the England international to feature against Everton this weekend.

The 22-year-old’s form tailed off last season during the title run-in and, a few flashes of inspiration aside, has started the current campaign indifferently.

Saka featured for the Three Lions over the course of the international break but failed to complete 90 minutes against both Scotland and Ukraine.

Reports earlier this week claimed the Arsenal star is still struggling to shake off a persistent injury that has been nagging away for months, but Arteta is adamant that is not the case.

Arteta: ‘He’s Fine’

“He’s fine,” said the Arsenal manager ahead of Sunday’s trip to Goodison Park. “He trained normally today. There’s nothing to report.”

“Every player has pain or issues, but [there is] nothing to worry about.”

Thomas Partey Not Available

Thomas Partey won’t be fit enough to make the trip to Merseyside but is progressing well in his recovery from a groin strain, while Arteta was also pleased to report the rest of his players returned back in full health following the international break.

“They all came back well, they all trained today so they are in a good place,” he said.

“[Partey] is a few weeks away. He has a muscle injury, he is progressing well.”

“The rest are all available.”

Conclusion

Bukayo Saka is expected to feature against Everton this weekend despite reports earlier this week claiming he was nursing an Achilles injury. Manager Mikel Arteta has reassured fans that there is nothing to worry about and that Saka is fit and ready to go.

Thomas Partey, however, won’t be available for selection as he continues to recover from a groin strain. The rest of the squad returned back in full health following the international break and are all available for selection.