Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the England squad after suffering a suspected hamstring injury for England against Greece.
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Saka appeared to injure hamstring against GreeceWinger withdraws from England squadArsenal face another international break injury scareFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Saka limped off the field just after half-time in England's shock 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley and, not fit enough to be considered for the game against Finland on Saturday, has withdrawn from the squad. His injury sparked immediate concern amongst Arsenal fans but those fears have been calmed by the England interim boss Lee Carsley who claimed his withdrawal is just precautionary.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT CARSLEY SAID
On Saka's injury, Carsley said: "Bukayo would have been close [to playing against Finland] but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him. He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
After an injury to Martin Odegaard for Norway at the last international break ruled the Gunners captain out for a number of months, the Arsenal fans were quick to panic at the sight of yet another one of their star players injured on international duty. But according to the Mirror, England medical staff believe Saka might have been ready for the Finland game but didn't want to take a gamble.
Saka has been superb for the Gunners this season, assisting seven goals in seven games in addition to scoring two of his own, and stepped up in the absence of Odegaard. The Gunners have navigated a tricky period without their captain but will be massively relieved that Saka may well be fit enough to return as early as next weekend against Bournemouth.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SAKA?
The winger is now in a race to be fit enough to return for the Gunners as they travel to take on the Cherries on Saturday evening. The Gunners then face a tricky spell as they take on Shakhtar Donetsk, Liverpool, Preston North End, Newcastle, Inter Milan and Chelsea in the space of three weeks. Mikel Arteta will be hopeful that Saka will be fit enough to start most, if not all, of those fixtures.