Arsenal star Bukayo Saka had "ligament testing" – but Mikel Arteta is positive

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says that Bukayo Saka was only "limping" after the impact injury that forced him off against Nottingham Forest, despite tests on his ligaments

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka leaves the pitch following an injury during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on October 30, 2022 in London, England.
(Image credit: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka had "ligament testing" on his ankle – but manager Mikel Arteta says that things are looking positive.

The Gunners were given a scare in their 5-0 romp over Nottingham Forest at the weekend when Saka went down injured and limped off in the first half. Saka's substitute, fellow Hale End graduate Reiss Nelson, struck twice to secure the three points for the Gunners.

With the World Cup just around the corner, it wasn't just Gooners holding their breath over the No.7's discomfort. 

Bukayo Saka looks OK, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds the supporters after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on October 1, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds the supporters (Image credit: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

It's a difficult time for players picking up injuries, knowing that any knock could force them out of the World Cup. Could that be true of Saka?

"Hopefully not," Arteta affirmed after the game. "It was a bad kick. Right from the beginning, he was limping but I don’t see any further than that. 

"Let’s see how he is in the next couple of days. He got kicked a few times and he wasn’t comfortable."

Arsenal midfielder Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on 1 October, 2022 at the Emirates Stadium in London, United Kingdom

Bukayo Saka has been key for Arsenal this season (Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Saka – who Arsenal are lining up a new contract for – was in a fair amount of pain, however, and according to one expert, had tests to check that the injury wasn't more serious after he went down. 

"Saka down again and [the] physio was doing some ligament testing," Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT, doctor and fitness coach of 3CB Performance explained on social media. "Taken off and back to the locker room now."

The incident is certainly a worry for Arsenal fans – especially given that Arteta has claimed that Saka wants to play "70 games" this season. The England winger could be in line to return this weekend in the London derby against Chelsea. 

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.