ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has issued an injury update on star man Bukayo Saka.
Saka was forced to withdraw from the England squad earlier this month after suffering a knock against Greece.
Mikel Arteta has issued an update on Bukayo Saka[/caption]
The winger could return ahead of Arsenal’s match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday[/caption]
The 23-year-old subsequently missed Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, with Arteta later revealing he did not want to push him.
But he could return to the fold ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Arteta revealed: “With Bukayo, let’s see how he feels today and (after) the training session we have later on.”
The Gunners currently sit 13th in the 36-team Champions League group stage table.
After their meeting with Shakhtar at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal host Liverpool in the Premier League.
Club captain Martin Odegaard is nearing a return from his injury, having already missed eight games.
The midfielder suffered ligament damage to his ankle while on international duty with Norway last month.
Odegaard has made just three Premier League appearances for Arsenal so far this season as a result.
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Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber are also at risk of missing Tuesday’s European clash.
Tomiyasu suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury earlier this month.
His first appearance of the campaign was a six-minute cameo against Southampton.
But he is now set for another spell on the sidelines.
As for Timber, he is allegedly struggling with his own fitness issues.
Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth
By Alex Crook
TEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season as brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a South Coast setback.
The Gunners travelled to face Andoni Iraola’s men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight matches this term.
But their task was made a tricky one when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour.
Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead following a well-worked set piece routine 20 minutes from time.
Justin Kluivert then sealed his side’s incredible 2-0 victory from the penalty spot on 79 minutes.
Here’s how SunSport rated each Gunners performer on the day.
DAVID RAYA – 5
Was lucky to get away with one poor pass out from the back early on. Made amends for another error by saving smartly with the legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially spilling a Semenyo cross-cum-shot before clumsily conceding the penalty.
BEN WHITE – 4
England outcast was back in the team after four games out, but did not look 100 per cent fit and found it tough going containing the lively Antoine Semenyo down the Bournemouth left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 3
Usually calm and collected under pressure but paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he hauled down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to get himself sent off and will miss next weekend’s crunch clash at home to title rivals Liverpool as a result.
GABRIEL – 5
Given the captain’s armband in the absence of the stricken Bukayo Saka, but not at his commanding best, especially after losing centre-back partner Saliba. Did not really step up to the leadership plate.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Did a better job containing Semenyo when Bournemouth’s dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but unable to have his usual influence going forward.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Back in his traditional central midfield berth after being used as an emergency right back in the 3-1 win over Southampton. Was second best up against Bournemouth’s impressive Lewis Cook.
DECLAN RICE – 5
Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. Struggled to impose himself on the game in midfield and unable to get forward as much as he usually does. Did his bit dropping into the back-line after Saliba’s dismissal.
RAHEEM STERLING – 4
Former England man was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times when in promising positions before being sacrificed after the Saliba red card.
MIKEL MERINO – 5
Finally able to make his full Premier League debut after an injury-affected start to his Arsenal career and showed some nice touches. Also fired into the side-netting with the visitors’ best first half opening.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass that led to the red card and disappeared from the action after that before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
The German cut an isolated figure up front, especially after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his run of scoring in the previous four games in all competitions.
SUBSTITUTES
Jakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) – 4
Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) – 5
Gabriel Jesus (for Kiwior, 81) – N/A
Ethan Nwaneri (for Merino, 81) – N/A
