Mikel Arteta issues concerning fitness update on Bukayo Saka ahead of Liverpool showdown

Saka suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with England, forcing him to sit out of the pivotal 2-0 Premier League defeat against AFC Bournemouth.

Fans were keen to see if Saka would return for the Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday but he was not named in the squad again.

Five days before a massive Premier League showdown against title rivals Liverpool at the Emirates, Arteta has now revealed that Saka ‘still isn’t feeling good’.

Quizzed on Amazon Prime if Saka was close to returning against Shakhtar Donetsk, Arteta said: ‘He wasn’t able to do the session in the way we wanted.

‘He still isn’t feeling good. It wasn’t good news.’

Asked if Saka would return against Liverpool on Sunday, Arteta added: ‘At the moment, I am not very helpful. Let’s see. We still have a few days.’

Saka’s possible absence against Liverpool would be a huge blow for the Gunners, who are already without key centre-back William Saliba after his recent red card.

The 23-year-old winger has undoubtedly been one of Arsenal’s most attacking players in recent seasons, with 10 goal involvements across 10 games this term.

Meanwhile, Arteta has insisted his side do not have an ‘eye’ on the Liverpool clash – and that the Gunners are instead fully focused on beating Shakhtar Donetsk.

‘No eye!’ Arteta added. ‘The eye is here in the Champions League. The focus is on today.’

Arsenal currently sit third in the Premier League on 17 points after their opening eight games of the season.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool, meanwhile, are top with 21 points, narrowly ahead of second-placed Manchester City.