EPL

Arteta hopeful on Saka World Cup prospects after England star's injury scare with Arsenal

By Sports Desk October 30, 2022

Mikel Arteta suggested Bukayo Saka's injury in the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest was just a knock and unlikely to knock him out of England's World Cup plans.

Saka recorded his 20th assist in the Premier League after finding Gabriel Martinelli for the fifth-minute opener, with only Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney having reached that mark at a younger age than the 21-year-old.

However, Saka was forced off in the 27th minute with what appeared to be a left ankle injury following a tackle from Forest left-back Renan Lodi.

England boss Gareth Southgate may have been concerned Saka would join the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker on his injury list, though Arsenal manager Arteta believes the winger will be fine.

When asked if Saka may be doubtful for England's World Cup opener against Iran on November 21, Arteta said: "Hopefully not.

"It was a bad kick, he was limping, but I don't see it further than that. Both foot and ankle, he got kicked a few times."

Saka's replacement Reiss Nelson struck twice in the space of just over three second-half minutes.

The 22-year-old Nelson was hailed by Arteta for "evolving" and "maturing" after also teeing up Thomas Partey's strike for Arsenal's fourth, and Nelson expressed pride after seizing the opportunity.

"It was amazing. We had a bit of a slow start after the goal, but everyone got into the game and it was great to play in," Nelson said, quoted by the BBC.

"It couldn't have got gone much better than that for me after coming on. I am delighted with the goals and the assist. I have been training for my chance and I got it and tried my best to take it."

Martin Odegaard scored the other goal in the dominant win as Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit, though Nelson admitted the Gunners' first thoughts would be to check how Saka was.

"Of course, it is a huge shame for Arsenal and the nation, and we will go and check now and see how he is," Nelson added. He's a great boy and it's great to have him in the team.

"We are just trying to do well for the gaffer and the team. We're top now and it's nice, hopefully we can go all the way."

Related items

  • Brazil legend Marta to retire from international football Brazil legend Marta to retire from international football

    Brazil star Marta has announced she will retire from international football at the end of 2024.

    The 38-year-old is the all-time highest scorer for Brazil, netting 116 goals in 175 matches for the national team.

    She is also the top-scorer in the Women’s World Cup with 17 goals, finishing as a runner-up in 2007 when Brazil lost in the final to Germany.

    The forward has won three Copa America Femenina titles and was part of the Brazil team that won silver medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

    Marta could make her sixth appearance for Brazil at this year's Games if she is selected in the squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    "If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because, regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team," Marta told CNN in an interview on Thursday.

    "There will be no more Marta from 2025 in the national team as an athlete.

    "I am very calm about this because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes."

  • Al Hilal 3-1 Al Fateh: Neves on target as Saudi giants close in on title Al Hilal 3-1 Al Fateh: Neves on target as Saudi giants close in on title

    Al Hilal moved 12 points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League as Ruben Neves scored in a 3-1 win over Al Fateh on Friday.

    Former Wolves star Neves slotted in from the penalty spot in the 74th minute, as Al Hilal completed a rapid comeback.

    Having fallen behind to Lucas Zelarayan's 57th-minute opener, Al Hilal responded swiftly through Micheal before Salem Al Najdi fouled Mohammed Al Qahtani in the penalty area.

    Ex-Barcelona winger Cristian Trello and Al Fateh coach Slaven Bilic were booked for their complaints, with Neves making no mistake, paving the way for Ali Al Bulayhi to seal victory in the 15th minute of an extended period of stoppage time.

    Data Debrief

    Al Hilal have now won 21 games on the spin in the league. They have scored 86 goals across their 28 matches this season, winning 26 in total.

    They had 19 shots on Friday, accumulating 2.34 xG to Al Fateh's 0.25, with pass-master Neves creating three chances to go along with his goal.

  • RFEF elects Rocha as new president RFEF elects Rocha as new president

    The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed Pedro Rocha as its new president.

    Rocha has been elected as Luis Rubiales' replacement, despite being under investigation for corruption.

    He had been serving as interim president since Rubiales resigned in September over the scandal caused when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso following Spain's Women's World Cup triumph in August.

    In a statement released on Friday, the RFEF said: "Pedro Rocha has today been proclaimed the new president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), after having received the support of the majority of the assembly members of this institution that governs Spanish football.

    "The process followed the procedure agreed by the Electoral Commission, which met this morning, and the timetable that was established for these elections."

    Rocha has been under investigation since earlier in April, after the RFEF's headquarters was raided by police last month. The Spanish government announced on Thursday that it would be stepping in to oversee the running of the organisation.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.