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Mikel Arteta delivers Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard update ahead of Burnley clash

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 November 2023, 14:24
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to give too much away over the fitness of Bukayo Saka for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Burnley.

As has been the case in several matches already this season, Saka was the victim of some rough treatment from Sevilla players in Wednesday's Champions League clash, drawing five fouls in total.

Los Palanganas players escaped bookings for their handful of fouls on Saka in the first half, but the England international still played a huge part in that 2-0 win, setting up Leandro Trossard before firing home in the second half.

However, Saka - who is yet to complete the full 90 in a Champions League game this season - was taken off in the dying embers with an ankle issue, and he was not moving at all comfortably at full-time either.

Arteta was asked for an update on the winger's fitness in Friday's press conference, and while he revealed that Saka had been in a "lot of pain", the England international - who has been called up to Gareth Southgate's squad for November's fixtures - trained on Thursday and is in with a chance of featuring.

"B had to leave the pitch because he was in quite a lot of pain. He trained yesterday and let's see if he can make it tomorrow," arsenal.com quotes the Spaniard as saying.

While Saka is in with a chance of making the cut, none of Jurrien Timber (knee), Thomas Partey (muscle), Emile Smith Rowe (knee) or Gabriel Jesus (hamstring) are likely to face the Clarets.

Partey has been out of action since sustaining a fresh issue before last month's Champions League win over Sevilla, which Arteta conceded at the time would keep him out for a number of weeks.

A fresh report from The Athletic states that the Ghana international has now been forced to go under the knife to treat his issue - which is in the thigh area - and he could potentially be missing for the remainder of the calendar year.

Arsenal are supposedly looking to cash in on Partey in January amid his perpetual fitness struggles, but Arteta stressed in his press conference that the midfielder would spend "weeks" rather than "months" on the sidelines.

"He's progressing really well but it was a significant injury. Hopefully it's going to be weeks and not months and he's working towards that. He needs support and hopefully the injury will heal in the right way and we'll have him back, because he's a big player for us.," the Spaniard added.

Meanwhile, captain Martin Odegaard has missed the Gunners' last two matches against Newcastle United and Sevilla with an unspecified fitness issue, believed to be related to a recent hip concern.

The Norway international is in with a chance of turning out against Vincent Kompany's side, though, with Arteta adding: "He's still racing (against the clock). He's trying everything that he can so let's see. It's a possibility."

The Gunners boss did not provide an update on Eddie Nketiah's ankle concern, but he hinted that Gareth Southgate's decision to omit him from the latest England squad was not injury-related, saying: "Well I don't know the real reason. That's a question for Gareth.

"I know how important for him it is to be in the national team and how much he enjoys being there in the last few experiences. That's a decision that's not in my hands."

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