Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says he is hopeful that Bukayo Saka’s injury picked up against Nottingham Forest will not rule him out of the World Cup.
Saka started the game on Sunday at the Emirates after playing for half hour in the Europa League defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Thursday.
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The 21-year-old partnered Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus in Arsenal’s front three but his afternoon was over in 27 minutes after suffering with injury.
Club doctor Gary O’Driscoll assessed Saka as he tried to continue the game after picking up a knock but he could not after two lots of treatment on the pitch.
Reiss Nelson replaced him and made the most of the opportunity given to him with two goals in three second half minutes as Arteta’s side returned to the top of the table with a 5-0 victory.
Despite seeing his team recover from the midweek defeat in the best manner, the focus will be straight on Saka’s situation ahead of a busy November month before the mid-season break.
After the game, Arteta was asked whether Saka would be a doubt for the tournament. He said: “Hopefully not. It was a bad kick.
“Right from the beginning he was limping, but I don’t see any further than that. Let’s see how he is in the next couple of days.”
Quizzed on where he was injured, Arteta added: “I think both [foot or ankle]. He got kicked a few times and he wasn’t comfortable.”
Southgate is set to name his final 26-man squad for the World Cup on November 14, with the competition starting on November 20.
