Manager Mikel Arteta would've been fearing this exact situation when sending his best away for the international break but after Saka played 85 minutes against Ukraine last week, he might've been satisfied. But that wouldn't last long as the 22-year-old was benched by Gareth Southgate for the entirety of the Three Lions' 150th Anniversary Heritage Match against Scotland.
It was then revealed that Saka had possibly been carrying the recurring injury, which marks him as a serious doubt for this weekend's clash with Sean Dyche's side. It comes after the winger has managed to carry his form over the summer, having already scored two goals and an assist in their first four league matches.
He also dispatched his spot-kick in the Community Shield to help Arsenal lift the trophy over Manchester City on penalties, the club's first piece of silverware since 2020. Arteta will have plenty of other options to choose from within his squad to try and replace Saka but it's still a hammer blow for the Gunners as they try and improve on their runners-up finish from their last campaign.
Defender Gabriel Magalhaes was another injury scare Arteta had to deal with over the international break when he was spotted with ice on his thigh after his 85-minute debut for Brazil last week. However, he was later seen in training a few days later and played the full 90 minutes against Peru helping the Seleção to a 1-0 win.The 25-year-old seems to have fallen down the pecking order under Arteta this season. Having found just 26 cameo minutes across their first three league games, leaving fans scratching their heads, he was eventually handed a full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win over Manchester United.
Elsewhere, Mohamed Elneny is nearing a long-awaited return to the first team after he was pictured in training at London Colney yesterday. He suffered a bad knee injury back in January which ruled him out for the rest of the season, but he now appears to have sufficiently recovered as he works his way back to full fitness.
Ghanaian international Thomas Partey will still have to wait a bit longer to get back out onto the pitch as he continues to recover from a groin injury. Reports suggest the Gunners are hopeful for his return in the next few weeks but aren't risking anything ahead of this weekend.
Jurrien Timber is still set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he recovers from his ACL tear he suffered on the opening weekend, just 47 minutes into his debut for the Gunners. He was spotted at the Emirates Stadium on two crutches and admitted to football.london that his rehabilitation was going well.
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