Mikel Arteta Provides Bukayo Saka Injury Update Amid Concerns of Winger’s Fitness

• Mikel Arteta recently opened up on Bukayo Saka’s availability for the clash against Everton
• Saka only played a handful of minutes for England in their last game against Scotland earlier this week
• Gareth Southgate had indicated that the winger was suffering from a sore Achilles

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has taken to quell concern over the availability of Bukayo Saka for the Everton clash on Sunday. September 17.

The Gunners will travel to Merseyside on Sunday hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season that has seen them collect 10 points from a possible 12.

Their record against Everton away is not the best as they have lost on their last three visits , and have won just one of their last seven visits at Goodison Park.

There were initial concerns that Saka would miss the game through injury, after the recently crowned the 2023 PFA Young Player of the Year played very few minutes against Scotland in England’s last international game.

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He started on the bench at Hampden Park, and only made a cameo appearance, after England boss Gareth Southgate revealed he was suffering from a “sore Achilles”.

Will Saka be available for Everton?

Arteta, in his pre-match press conference on Friday, September 15, however confirmed his star man would be available as the Achilles issue was not a serious one.

"Bukayo is fine. He trained normally today so there’s nothing to report there.” He said as cited on the Arsenal website.

"Every player has pains or issues but it’s nothing to worry about. They all came back well and trained today so they are in a good place.

Meanwhile, Thomas Partey, who sat out Arsenal’s last game, a win over Manchester United, is progressing well from a groin issue according to Arteta.

Ten Hag’s dig at Solskjaer

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag’s subtle dig at his predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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Solskjaer was fired at Old Trafford midway through the 2021/22 season. Michael Carrick oversaw two games before Ralf Rangnick managed the rest of the season as interim manager, and ten Hag was appointed.

Ten Hag appeared to suggest there were no ‘strict lines’ when he took over at United.