Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta discussed Bukayo Saka’s injury and other squad fitness issues on Friday. Saka is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Saka’s quadriceps injury
Arteta said Saka suffered a quadriceps injury while passing the ball against Bayern Munich and was forced off during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich. Arsenal are still trying to understand the problem, and Arteta is reluctant to put a firm timeframe on Saka’s recovery.
“There are a few things that we believe can contribute but I prefer not to mention that here,” Arteta said.
“In reality, to put your finger on something, maybe after you are totally wrong and it’s something else, so it’s very difficult,” Arteta said.
Asked whether Saka could be out for around a month, Arteta said: “I think so, but I don’t know.”
He added: “The way it happened, it wasn’t a really aggressive action. So that gives you some hope as well that the tissue will repair in a more efficient and faster way as well.”
Recovery outlook and Hull
Arteta said: “We're talking about obviously weeks, let's say after the international break.”
He added: “He's going to start hitting the pitch and start to have more activity and see how he feels, but unfortunately he's going to be out for a while.”
Ezri Konsa is fit to face Hull at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Arsenal are top of the Premier League.
Saka, Saliba and the national squads
William Saliba returned to the squad for the first time this season for the trip to Slavia Prague but did not play. Saka was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for upcoming England matches.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad includes five Arsenal players: Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa.
On whether Zinedine Zidane will call up Saliba to the France squad, Arteta said: “They have all the information. Now it's about them, about Zinedine in this case, to give the call.”
Rice’s workload
Arteta said Rice was left out of the squad for two Carabao Cup games and stayed at home with two days off.
“He’s the only player in the squad that for two games in the Carabao Cup has been left out of the squad, at home with two days off,” Arteta said.
