Bukayo Saka allays injury fears before Arsenal vs Tottenham derby as gesture explained

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Evening Standard

·13 de noviembre de 2025

Bukayo Saka allays injury fears before Arsenal vs Tottenham derby as gesture explained

Gunners star’s signal to England bench immediately after scoring against Serbia led to initial concern

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has allayed any new injury fears ahead of the looming north London derby clash with Tottenham after he scored for England against Serbia.

Saka was arguably the Three Lions’ best player at a wet Wembley on Thursday night, planting a brilliant first-half volley into the far corner in the 28th minute after a hopeful shot from debutant Nico O’Reilly was deflected into his path.

However, there was concern for the Gunners talisman immediately after that stylish opening goal, when he did not appear to be moving particularly well for a moment.

Saka immediately gestured to the bench following his celebrations, with some speculating that he may have asked to be substituted after sustaining a knock.

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Despite that, Saka went on to play the full 90 minutes of a 2-0 victory for England after changing his boots during a break in play in the first half.

Asked about that message to the bench after the game and told it had left people wondering if he needed to come off, Saka told ITV: “No, I just wanted to change my boots. That was it.”

Saka has quickly answered England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s demands for him to improve his scoring output at international level, following a fine effort against Wales last month with another strike to remember at Wembley to take him to 14 goals in 46 senior caps so far.

“I think it was a performance we can be proud of,” said Saka after already-qualified England made it seven wins from seven in Group K. “We got the win in the end and we played well.

“Maybe [that was the sweetest volley he had hit for England], I’m not sure. It was top two though. It was a nice strike and I was happy it went in.”

Saka was not the only Arsenal player on the scoresheet for England against Serbia, with Eberechi Eze electric off the bench as he initially hit the crossbar before wrapping up a comfortable win late on after curling home expertly with a first-time finish from fellow lively substitute Phil Foden’s pass.

“Another good performance, important to get the win,” Eze said. “Of course I’m happy to score and help the team, which is important as well.”

On the growing competition for places in England’s attack on a night when Morgan Rogers was chosen to start at No10 ahead of Jude Bellingham, who impressed off the bench alongside Eze and fellow returnee Foden, he added: “There’s a lot of talent in the team, you can see the types of players that are here and the types of players that aren’t here as well.

“It’s the type of competition that you want to be up against, you want to be in and around and it’s going to help the team for sure.

“We’ve got to be confident, we’ve got to believe that it’s possible [to win the World Cup]. Games like this, it’s working day by day towards achieving that goal. We’re doing everything we can.”