Arsenal are set to face Brighton and Hove Albion tomorrow in what will be a tricky away test for Mikel Arteta’s side.
With the Premier League title race as tight as it currently is, there is no room for error, and Arsenal will hope to continue their fine form and secure all three points against Roberto De Zerbi’s team.
Arsenal beat Luton Town 2-0 on Wednesday after making several changes to the lineup, and there is little time to reflect on the win as the games come in thick and fast.
Bukayo Saka was absent from the squad against Luton as a precaution after coming off with a slight injury issue against Manchester City on Sunday, and Arteta has now given an update on his potential inclusion against Brighton.
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Mikel Arteta hints at Bukayo Saka Arsenal return
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta revealed that Saka is set to take part in training today, and his fitness will be assessed properly after the session.
“We will know now. We have a training session in a few hours and we will know whether he is fit or not. Everyone else seems OK,” Arteta explained.
Saka has missed just two Premier League games all season, having been absent for Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in October, and failed to make Wednesday’s comfortable win over Luton, but Arteta is not concerned about potential burnout for the winger.
Mikel Arteta unconcerned about burnout for Bukayo Saka
Arteta was asked if he had any concerns about Saka’s heavy workload on top of these small injuries ahead of the busy fixture schedule, but he highlighted the England star’s ability to recover quickly as a positive.
“I’m super positive, I think he’s going to fly and be so decisive,” he added.
“Because he’s so strong, and how much he wants it. When you talk to him and how excited he is about what is coming, he wants to be there.
“He’s getting better and better and it’s normal to have little niggles. You have kicks and he’s gone through a lot of that in the last two or three years and now look at the way he’s performing.”
If Arsenal are to go all the way in the title race whilst competing in the Champions League, they will need Saka to be fit and firing throughout, but Arteta may also need to consider substituting him earlier and rotating him for more games to keep him fresh.