After a rough week, Arsenal wereable to conclude on a high note by beating their opponents Nottingham Forest 5-0. Thus, Sunday’sthrashing sent the Gunners back to the top of the Premier League, two points ahead of reigning champions Manchester City.
The home team jumped out to an early lead thanks to a goal from Gabriel Martinelli, and Mikel Arteta’s squad coasted to victory with three quick-fire goals, two from Reiss Nelson and one from Thomas Partey, to open the second half. The day was capped off with a goal from their captain Martin Odegaard, who buried a header.
The only downer was an injury to Englishwinger Bukayo Saka, who had to be substituted midway through the first half. With around three weeksbefore England’s World Cup opener, Southgate is understandably worried about the health of his squad with the recent loss ofthe 21-year-old.
How serious isSaka’s injury and will hecome back in time for the World Cup?
Saka is an important component of Gareth Southgate‘s team heading to Qatar for the World Cup, so his injury has to be a concern.It happened during the first 15 minuteswhen Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodiseemed to hit the winger on the ankle, sending him tumbling on the ground on his right knee.
The Gunners bench didn’t seem too worried in the first minutes, but the England international clearly wasn’t moving easily. Hefell down on the ground holding his lower leg, but after getting treatment, he returned to play for a little time.
However, he was unable to continue playing after the collisionproved to be too much for him, andwas replaced by his fellow countryman Reiss Nelson soon before the 30th minute.Saka may or may not have suffered a major injury, but after seeing him hobble off the pitch, Mikel Arteta and Gareth Southgate will be worried until they hear otherwise.
The Arsenal academy graduateis a strong contender to make Southgate’s World Cup roster if he can demonstrate his health.His bossafter being asked whether the player will miss the World Cup due to his injury told Arsenal.com:“Hopefully not. It was a bad kick, he was limping but I don’t see it further than that. It was both [foot and ankle], he got kicked a few times.”
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