Bukayo Saka ruled out of Liverpool v Arsenal at Anfield after quadriceps injury
Bukayo Saka missed Arsenal's Premier League fixture against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday night after being ruled out with a quadriceps injury. The winger is still recovering from the problem he sustained during Arsenal's UEFA Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
Arsenal arrived at Anfield level on 21 points at the top of the table and could overtake Manchester City with a win. Mikel Arteta said he was desperate for all three points after Arsenal suffered a shock Carabao Cup defeat against Fleetwood Town, when the fourth-tier side won 5-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 in normal time. The absence of a key attacker adds to the challenge of facing an in-form Liverpool team away from home.
Saka was forced off during the clash at the Allianz Arena, leaving the Gunners concerned about the extent of his quadriceps injury. Arteta confirmed that the winger is undergoing further medical assessment to determine whether the injury has affected his tendon.
“He needed another scan to see how the amount of fluid that was there was resolving,” Arteta said in the pre-match press conference. “(We needed to know) whether the tendon is touched and how badly it is touched.”
Arteta confirmed Saka needs another scan on his thigh injury to assess whether the tendon has been affected. He said it looks likely Saka will miss England's upcoming international fixtures, although he wants to wait for next week's medical assessment before confirming.
“That’s all fine, and afterwards we’ll know more about it. We want to have him as quick as possible. The player is desperate, he’s feeling much better than he was a few days ago,” he said. “He looks like it (returning before international break); we need to wait and see how he evolves.”
In Saka’s absence Arteta named Noni Madueke on the right wing for the match at Anfield.
A further medical assessment next week will be used to determine whether the tendon has been affected and whether Saka will miss England's upcoming international fixtures.