Why Bukayo Saka was left out of Arsenal team to face Bournemouth | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka was omitted from the Arsenal matchday squad to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

The winger was a slight doubt heading into the game after picking up an injury on international duty. He was taken off in the 51st minute of England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last Thursday.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said it was “not a serious injury” and the player’s availability would be subject to a late call ahead of their trip to the south coast.

Despite his situation “evolving really well” in training, Saka has been sidelined by his injury and is now a doubt for upcoming games against Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool.

It’s a huge blow to Arteta and his Arsenal team, who are already without Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber through injury.

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Why Bukayo Saka was left out of Arsenal team vs Bournemouth

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kickoff, Arteta explained the decision to leave Saka out of the side. “We tried the last few days but he didn’t have the right feeling. There was no point pushing him and we have very good options as well.”

There was more positive news for the north London outfit as Ben White returned from injury while Mikel Merino has been handed his full debut.

“He gives us a lot of options, very different qualities to Martin,” Arteta said of Merino. “Hopefully [he will play] very good.”

On the challenge posed by Bournemouth, he said: “They can be direct, intense, they are very well coached with very good players and it is a very tough team to play against.”

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