Arsenal star Bukayo Saka opens up on fears after serious hamstring injury: 'Am I going to be the same?' | OneFootball

Saka reluctant to focus on the past or future as he looks to return to his best after a disrupted season

During his time out injured earlier this year, Bukayo Saka was given a book by one of Mikel Arteta’s assistant coaches at Arsenal.

The winger started the campaign on fire, registering 10 assists in the opening 13 Premier League games, but a hamstring injury picked up in December ruled him out of action for over three months.

Saka is determined to put that behind him now, though, which is the thrust of the book that Arteta’s assistant, Carlos Cuesta, gave him months ago.

“It’s about not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future,” said Saka. “Just being in the moment and always asking yourself - what’s necessary right now?

“Sometimes I can think: ‘Oh, am I going to come back in the best shape?’ Or, in the past: ‘What could I have done to prevent injury?’

“But all that is not necessary. It’s only going to bring bad energy, negativity to your body. One of the best things I took from the book is always ask yourself: ‘What’s necessary in this moment right now?’ And try to live that way.

Bukayo Saka missed more than three months of the season with a hamstring injury

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

As well as the pain of injury, Saka has had to cope with seeing other London clubs, including Tottenham, lift trophies. The winger watched Spurs win the Europa League final last month and admits such a sight hurt him.

“Yes of course, naturally, because you want that to be you,” he said.

Saka hopes it will be him celebrating next year, for both Arsenal and England. The 23-year-old is set to make his first appearance under Thomas Tuchel on Tuesday, when the Three Lions host Senegal in a friendly, and Saka is excited about what lies ahead.

Tuchel reached out to Saka when he was injured, with the winger forced to miss the March camp, and the Arsenal star is a key part of his plans.

“I think the expectation [with England] is to win, rather than entertain,” said Saka. “If you can have both, then perfect.

“But we feel more the expectation is to win than to entertain. That’s what the managers in the past and Thomas now have been trying to work on, that cohesion, that chemistry, trying to get us to play good football.

“At the end of the day, as players we just want to win. The fans want the same as well. That’s the most important thing this country needs right now.”

Saka will hope this season helps him on that journey, even if it has been a difficult one.

The winger used the time out to get off the “conveyor belt of games” and reflect. He spent more time with his family and got a “balanced head about football and life”. Mentally the experience has helped him.

That is not to say it has been easy, far from it, with the comeback road from his injury starting with surgery at 5am on Christmas Eve.

“It was horrible,” said Saka. “Credit to the surgeon - he got up early to do it.

Bukayo Saka is set to make his first appearance under Thomas Tuchel

The FA via Getty Images

“I was out of the hospital at about 3 or 4pm and home. Christmas Day, I went to my cousin’s house but I was in a big brace and had crutches.

“I had to get my presents brought to me. When everyone got out go to the dining room, it took me about ten minutes to get there!

“Looking back at it (the time out injured), I was happy with how I managed everything. The first two days were the toughest, that realisation that I’ve got what I’ve got and I need an operation.

“You start to think: ‘Am I going to be the same’ as players came back from this injury and weren’t the same.

“After two days the surgery was done and successful and I just looked forward, I was really positive and put in all the work I needed with my diet, in the gym, on the pitch and the physios would say the same. I feel I’ve come back in the good place.”

Saka’s time out included the arrival of a dog into his life - a cockapoo called Tucker. Naturally, looking after puppy following knee surgery proved a challenge.

“I got the dog while I was still playing, but I got injured and he came while I was injured,” said Saka. “It was a bit tough at first because he’s a puppy and I couldn’t really get after him. It was a good experience. It was funny.”

Saka has one final game before he closes the chapter on this season, and both he and England will be eager to sign off in style.

You start to think: ‘Am I going to be the same?’

Bukayo Saka on his fears during injury recovery

Tuchel’s side have won all three of their games under him, but a 1-0 win over Andorra on Saturday typified how things are yet to click under the German.

Saka is convinced England will come good, especially when faced with tougher opponents. The winger watched the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain on Sunday, and believes England can compete with sides of that calibre.

“It was a very high level from both teams and a lot of quality players as well,” he said. “I have no doubts we can play at that level. I really believe in the team and I’m looking forward to when it’s our turn.

“Every player is different and I can’t answer for every player but naturally in the bigger games everyone is going to give a bit more.

“In these other games we need to find a level where we can maintain that same quality and drive and hunger for the whole game.

“It’s not easy at times but we need to find that and get these games over the line. The Andorra game, we still won, got another three points on the board and kept a clean sheet. It’s job done.”