Saka's injury provides another challenge for Southgate ahead World Cup

10/30/2022

Bukayo Saka’s injury will leaves England boss Gareth Southgate sweating ahead of the World Cup as Arsenal star becomes latest player to pick up a knock just THREE WEEKS before the tournament starts

The Arsenal No.7 was forced off after half an hour of the game against Forest
Saka tried to play on before eventually having to be replaced by Reiss Nelson
It comes as the latest blow for Gareth Southgate ahead of the World Cup
The extent of Saka’s injury is yet to be revealed – with hopes he’ll bit fit for Qatar
The Gunners cruised to a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon

Not for the first time in recent weeks, Gareth Southgate was shifting uncomfortably in his seat. His expression more contorted than usual; perhaps an expletive or two uttered under his breath.

England begin their World Cup in 22 days and his players are dropping like flies – Bukayo Saka the latest concern for Southgate.

The Arsenal forward tried to run if off but couldn’t; the impact of his tangle with Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodi too painful.

Bukayo Saka has become the latest England international to get an injury prior to World Cup

England boss Gareth Southgate will be hoping Saka will be fit in time for the tournament

ARSENAL (433): Ramsdale 6.5; White 7.5, Saliba 7 (Tierney 75), Gabriel 6.5, Tomiyasu 6.5 (Soares 64, 6); Odegaard 7.5, Partey 8, Xhaka 7.5 (Nketiah 75); Saka 7 (Nelson 28, 8), Jesus 7, Martinelli 7.5 (Vieira 64).

Subs: Hein, Holding, Sambi, Marquinhos.

Manager : Arteta 7.5

FOREST (433): Henderson 5; Aurier 5.5, Cook 5.5, McKenna 5.5, Lodi 5.5 (Williams 64); Yates 6, Freuler 6, Kouyate 5.5 (O’Brien 81); Gibbs-White 5.5 (Johnson 56), Awoniyi 5, Lingard 5 (Dennis 56, 6). Hennessey, Worrall, Mangala, Surridge, Boly.

Booked: Gibbs-White

Manager: Cooper 6

Referee: Simon Hooper – 6.5

Those who watch Saka on a regular basis will know the 21-year-old isn’t one to exaggerate.

He is battered regularly by opposition defenders, who often have no answer to the youngster’s brilliance but to resort to violence.

Yet, you won’t see Saka rolling around. You won’t see him brandish an imaginary yellow card. It’s not his style.

So when he slumped onto his backside, you knew something was up.

The concern was tangible when Saka eventually limped off to be substituted in the 27th minute.

The way Arsenal’s players promptly rushed over to console their stricken team-mate as he received treatment on his left leg indicative of the anxiety – as was the distressed look on Saka’s face as he gingerly trudged off.

Barring the player himself, Southgate would have been the most anxious of them all.

First Kalvin Phillips, then Kyle Walker, then Reece James and now Saka. That’s not to mention the fitness concerns of first-choice central defender Harry Maguire heading into Qatar.

Losing Saka would be a real blow, his standing in Southgate’s thoughts are sky high – without doubt a potential starter for his team in Qatar.

Now all Southgate and Saka can do is pray for the best.

The Arsenal No.7 has helped fire the Gunners to the top of the table so far this season

Saka was comforted by team-mates as he was replaced by Reiss Nelson during the game

This was always the danger. Having a World Cup scheduled in the middle of a domestic season is pure madness.

The stakes for professional footballers are far too high for them to just go through the motions in hope of avoiding injury.

Footballers, as a breed, aren’t built that way. They are competitors first and foremost.

But the fact they are having to compete every three days to accommodate a winter World Cup is criminal.

What if Lionel Messi sustains an injury in the next few days and misses the tournament? Or Kylian Mbappe? What will those who thought a winter World Cup was a good idea think then?

Man City’s Kyle Walker is also facing a race to be fit in time for the tournament next month

Effectively the players have no choice in the matter. They’ll head into every game knowing the opportunity of playing in the World Cup can be cruelly ripped away from them because of one bad tackle or one foot in the wrong direction.

Of course, players run that risk during a summer tournament.

But the lack of four-week period between the end of the season and the start of the World Cup as usual means those shorter-term injuries are fatal.

Gareth Southgate could be heading to Qatar without a number of his star players

Manchester United central defender Raphael Varane was reduced to tears after suffering a hamstring injury in the second half of last weekend’s draw against Chelsea.

The France international won’t play for United before Qatar but remains hopeful of being selected by Didier Deschamps.

You pray Saka is as lucky as Varane. Southgate is praying, too.

Raphael Varane is still hopeful of playing in the World Cup despite his hamstring injury

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