Mikel Arteta Drops Bukayo Saka Injury Update Ahead of Everton

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka suffered an injury against Bayern Munich during the week, and it's undoubtedly a huge boost for Everton.

The Toffees and Arsenal go head-to-head on Saturday in the Premier League as David Moyes' side look to bounce back following the disappointing loss against Chelsea. 

It's certainly not the ideal game for Everton to try to bounce back in, as they face the Premier League champions away from home. 

Everton were unbeaten heading into the game against Chelsea, but they came unstuck as Xabi Alonso's side dominated. There's certainly no shame in losing against Chelsea, but it was a disappointing performance from the Toffees.

Now Moyes will be hoping to produce a similar display to Everton's trip to Arsenal earlier this year, but he'll be looking to hold on until the final minutes this time. 

Everton fans' eyes would have lit up when they saw Saka coming off injured against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and Mikel Arteta provided an update after the game.

Speaking after the game, Arteta provided an update on the fitness of Saka. The Arsenal manager confirmed that they are a bit concerned, and it's unlikely to be good news.

 “It’s his quad. It was early in the game, and the level of intensity his game requires is something incredible. The quality, strength and attention you need has to be at the highest level, and those things happen unfortunately. It doesn’t look good at all, but we have to wait and see. 

“They are a bit concerned. A player who has to come off with a really sharp pain is never good news but we have to wait and see.”

Considering the assessment from Arteta, it does feel unlikely that Saka will be fit enough to face Everton just a few days later. Even if it's not a long-term injury, being able to recover in time for Saturday does seem out of the question.

Arteta will likely be speaking to the media ahead of the game, so it will be interesting to hear the update he provides.

Against Bayern Munich, Arsenal started with Noni Madueke on the left-hand side and Saka on the right. When Saka was injured, Eberechi Eze came off the bench, and he was switched over to the left with Madueke on the right.

If Saka is fit enough, it does feel likely that he'd start on the right with Madueke on the left, but the injury certainly changes things.

The most logical solution would appear to be Madueke replacing Saka on the right-hand side, with Eze starting on the left. Although, considering they played a tough match against Bayern Munich just a few days before the game against Everton, further rotation wouldn't be a surprise.

Arteta has the option to potentially bring in Max Dowman on the right, with either Madueke or Eze on the left. 

The most likely decision would be Madueke and Eze as the winger pairing, however.