Is Bukayo Saka fit to face Bournemouth? Mikel Arteta 'hopeful' of star featuring after picking up injury with England

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Bukayo Saka looks set to be okay to feature against Bournemouth this Saturday despite picking up an injury with England.

The winger hobbled off during the Three Lions’ 2-1 defeat to Greece during the international break before leaving the squad.

Saka left the pitch in the 51st minute of his country’s clash last week, being replaced by Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.

The 23-year-old appeared to be clutching at his right hamstring as he walked off, with two medical staff alongside him.

It immediately raised worries that he could be set for a spell on the sidelines before he was also seen hobbling out of Wembley.

He then departed the squad entirely and returned to Arsenal for further assessment of his injury.

So it left questions hanging over whether he will feature at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday…

Is Saka fit to face Bournemouth?

Fortunately for Arsenal, Saka looks set to be fit.

Initially, worries were backed up by interim England boss Lee Carsley who confirmed the winger did feel an issue.

He said when asked about the injury post-match, Carsley said: “He's being assessed.

“Obviously in the build-up to the first goal, you can see he felt something in his leg."

But then a few days later after Saka left the squad, Carsley revealed that he should be okay and that it just wasn’t worth the risk for him to play another international game.

“Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him," he said.

"He's a positive person and I expect him to be fine.”

That positivity has now been backed up by Arteta who has been speaking ahead of the Bournemouth game.

In his press conference on Friday morning, the Arsenal manager revealed: “[Saka] is not a serious injury.

“He is evolving really well. He has done a few things in the last two days.

“He wasn’t fit enough to play with the national team in the second game but we are hopeful.

“We have a training session this afternoon, he did some bits yesterday, let’s see if he can make it on time.”

Saka has started every game across all competitions for Arsenal this season, underlining his importance to the team.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form for the Gunners too, registering seven assists in the Premier League from as many games.

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