Mikel Arteta Update on Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Ezri Konsa, Digi Mart USA News: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued another update on the fitness of his first-team squad before the club welcomes Hull City to north London on Saturday afternoon (3pm UK).
Arteta was first asked about Bukayo Saka, who has been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad due to the injury he picked up in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich last month. “We’re talking obviously about weeks,” Arteta said.
“Let’s see after the international break.”
He added: “He’s going to start hitting the pitch and start to have more activity and see how he feels, but unfortunately he’s going to be out for a while. I don’t want to put these guys under too much pressure.
They are doing their best to get back fit, Bukayo is desperate to get back with the team, but it’s still quite early.”
Saka will miss Saturday’s squad as well as the upcoming international break. William Saliba, however, could be involved in both.
The centre-back was back on the bench for the first time this season after suffering a back injury while playing for France in the World Cup, and could join up with his national team again after the Hull City match.
Arteta said the club has been in close contact with France. “I think they’re announcing at 5pm this evening, so they have all the information.
Now it’s about them, about Zinedine Zidane in this case, to give the call. We will accept whatever it is.
It’s more between them, because William needs minutes as well.”
He continued: “I know how much he loves to be around the national team, it’s a new manager, a really exciting one as well, so whatever he’s decided is fine for us.”
The only new injury concern from Arsenal’s 2-1 Champions League win over Slavia Prague on Wednesday involved Ezri Konsa, who suffered a knock to his knee. Konsa has been called up to the England squad, and Arteta confirmed he will be ready to play at the weekend.
“He’s fine – he was feeling much better today. We took him out on Wednesday for a precaution, but yesterday and today he’s been feeling good.”
Konsa is one of five players in Arsenal’s first-team squad called up to England, along with Ben White, Eberechi Eze, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice.
Arteta expressed pride in seeing so many English players in the squad, describing it as an important club value to feature top talent from the home country. “It’s a proud thing to have a big English core in the national team from our club.
It’s something that is part of our identity. Not only the number, but as well the players that represent us and the national team.
They are super happy to be back, you can see that.
“So let’s focus on tomorrow, and after that they can go and be with the national team. It’s a moment that [they’ve] earned, and need to enjoy now.”
