Bukayo Saka is not in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for England’s UEFA Nations League clash with Croatia in November due to a quadriceps injury. The Arsenal winger suffered the injury in the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on October 21. He’s been sidelined by the injury.
On November 6, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that the 25-year-old would be out for a few more weeks, missing out on England’s last international games of the year against Croatia and Spain. “We’re talking about weeks. Let’s see, after the international break he’ll start hitting the pitch… but unfortunately he’s going to be out for a while,” Arteta said.
Saka was not merely rested or dropped for tactical reasons; he was unavailable for Tuchel’s 25-man squad. England will need to look elsewhere on the right wing of their attack against Croatia at Wembley. Why Is Bukayo Saka Injured? Saka’s setback comes after picking up a quadriceps injury in the 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich.
Arteta has not given a specific return date, but said Saka is likely to miss weeks. He also said the club would not be putting undue strain on the medical staff by setting an early target for him to come back. He is not in England’s November camp, as part of his recovery programme, and Arsenal are responsible for his rehab during the international break. Who Could Replace Saka Against Croatia?
Thomas Tuchel has a few options, but he will have to tweak his attacking arsenal without the Arsenal star. The England manager has identified four potential wide players in Morgan Rogers, Josh King, Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha, and Morgan Gibbs-White. Noni Madueke was also not in the squad, but this was a selection decision and not an injury.
England will play Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, November 12, before heading to Madrid to take on Spain on Sunday, November 15. Saka is expected to be sidelined for both games as he prepares to return to Arsenal. He is also missing from England’s ranks at a crucial point in the Nations League group stage, when they have been looking for a reliable wide threat.
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