Bukayo Saka Sends Message to Kostas Tsimikas After Defender Breaks His Collarbone

• Bukayo Saka came together with Kostas Tsimikas on Saturday, December 23
• Tsimikas ended up colliding with his manager Jurgen Klopp and had to come off with an injury
• Saka has since addressed the incident with a concise statement

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka insists there was ‘no foul on Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas after the two players collided on Saturday, December 23 during the Liverpool-Arsenal game.

The two Premier League title contenders clashed at Anfield in a late kick-off. Still, neither was able to collect all three points as Arsenal defender Gabriel’s goal in the fourth minute was cancelled out by Mohamed Salah’s lethal strike at the half-hour mark.

One stand-out moment of the game occurred minutes after Salah’s goal, as Jurgen Klopp’s side was dealt another major injury blow.

In the 33rd minute, Saka challenged Tsimikas near the touchline, and the left-back flew off the pitch, crashing into his manager Jurgen Klopp.

Chelsea 2:2 Arsenal: Blues Fans Blame Robert Sanchez After Letting Two Goal Lead Slip

Football

BBC reports that Tsimikas stayed down injured and eventually had to be replaced by Joe Gomez after suffering what appeared to be a shoulder injury.

As reported by The Mirror, it has since been confirmed that the left-back suffered a broken collarbone which will certainly rule him out for the next few months.

Saka’s apology and reaction to Tsikimas incident

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Saka apologized to Tsimikas for his injury but insisted there was no intention to foul the left back.

" I heard he has gone to hospital so obviously I want to apologise to him, I didn’t mean it of course,” he said.

Saka claimed his eyes were mainly on the ball, and he had no idea Tsikimas collided with his manager, who also ended up on the deck.

He added: "For me it was a 50/50 and I have gone shoulder to shoulder with him. I didn't see it but he must have taken a bad fall, I didn't see him go into Jurgen Klopp either. I was focused on running forward because I didn’t think it was a foul. That's my take on it."

Rulani Mokwena in heated touchline incident as Mamelodi Sundowns draw in CAF Champions League

Football

Replays of the incident appeared to show Saka taking a slight slip before inadvertently felling Tsimikas.

Liverpool’s injury problems at left-back persist as Tsimikas’s absence now means Jurgen Klopp’s side is devoid of a senior player in that position.

Andy Robertson, who has been out since October with a shoulder injury, is expected to return in early January.

Arsenal still top despite Liverpool draw

Sports Brief also reported on the Premier League standings after Gameweek 18 as Arsenal maintained their top of the table status.

Aston Villa remain third with 39 points following their 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on Friday, while Tottenham Hotspur completed the top four podium with 36 points after seeing off Everton 2-1 on Saturday.

Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United are still languishing in the relegation zone.