Bukayo Saka has been excluded from Arsenal’s side to face Bournemouth this afternoon after he picked up a knock in England’s loss to Greece.
Mikel Arteta said the winger would be assessed ahead of the clash but the star has not proved his fitness in time, with Raheem Sterling starting instead.
The Gunners star has made an electric start to the season, scoring twice and assisting seven times as the north London side vie with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
But he had Arsenal fans’ hearts in mouths last week when he trudged off the pitch at Wembley during the Three Lions’ humiliating 2-1 loss at the hands of 48th-ranked Greece.
Bukayo Saka has been excluded from Arsenal ‘s side to face Bournemouth this afternoon after he picked up a knock in England’s loss to Greece
The Gunners star has made an electric start to the season, scoring twice and assisting seven
It later emerged he had been forced off with a thigh problem and he withdrew from the squad before England’s win over Finland on Sunday.
And, despite Arteta’s encouraging remarks in yesterday’s press conference, the winger has been left out of the starting lineup for Saturday’s clash on the south coast.
It opens the door for Sterling, who made the switch from Chelsea on loan this summer, with the 29-year-old slotting into Arsenal’s talented frontline.
Mikel Merino has also been gifted his first start for the Gunners, coming in for Jorginho in the middle of the park. The Spaniard signed for Arteta’s side for £27.4m from Real Sociedad in the summer.
More to follow.