Arsenal have suffered yet another injury scare over the international break ahead of their match against Everton.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who have reported that Bukayo Saka was left out of the England XI against Scotland due to an Achilles problem.
Saka has been one of Arsenal’s most influential players in recent years, named in the PFA Team of the Year and also the PFA Young Player of the Year last season as he netted 14 goals and provided eleven assists.
The ‘perfect’ 22-year-old was also a huge star for the England national team and was named the country’s Men’s Player of the Year for two years running.
Saka’s importance to the Three Lions led to him featuring from the start as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier. The winger played out almost a full 90 minutes before he was dropped to the bench for the ‘friendly’ against Scotland.
The report claims Saka’s omission from the starting line-up was due to a nagging Achilles problem that he struggled with last season.
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Arsenal will be left concerned by Saka’s absence ahead of their trip to Everton this weekend, especially since the youngster scored the opener and also bagged an assist in their 4-0 win over the Toffees in March.
Mikel Arteta will be desperate to start the England international this weekend but won’t want to make his injury worse if he is still struggling on Merseyside.
However, Saka was brought onto replace Phil Foden with around 20 minutes to go at Hampden Park, so it can’t be too much of an issue.
How important is Bukayo Saka to Arsenal against Everton?
Bukayo Saka’s potential absence would be huge to Everton, who are eager to replicate last season’s 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
The forward is arguably Arsenal’s best player and biggest attacking threat, though his replacement would hardly be an easy ride.
If Saka is forced to sit out, Arteta has the options of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus or Emile Smith Rowe to bring in – with the former scoring in Belgium’s 5-0 win over Estonia earlier this week.
The Gunners have seemed to struggle with a few injury concerns ahead of this weekend and the Toffees need to be ready to capitalise on any problems they may have.