Arsenal are struggling with an injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s game against Bournemouth, with Bukayo Saka among those who could miss the game.
Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson and Bukayo Saka during Arsenal’s training session at the Omni Resort on July 19, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
Arsenal could ask Reiss Nelson to replace Bukayo Saka if injured
Arsenal have fond memories of March this year when they were riding high in the Premier League title and winning games by any means necessary. One of the most dramatic clashes came against
AFC Bournemouth, where a late comeback sent the Emirates Stadium into chaotic celebrations.
The Cherries raced into a two-goal lead before Thomas Partey and Ben White equalized but relegation looked to be on the cards.
Reiss Nelson then came, coming off the bench and scoring the game-winner in the 97th minute. While that looked set to be the deciding factor in the title race, it was not to be for the Gunners, who narrowly fell short but rallied again in that campaign. It could be Nelson who will again be called upon for heroics when he takes on Bournemouth this weekend.
Mikel Arteta is in the midst of an injury crisis, with a number of stars missing after a busy season. Bukayo Saka is one of the latest injury concerns, joining Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossardi, Declan Rice, William Saliba and Fabio Vieira as doubts over the weekend.
To say that Saka has been influential since his rise to stardom would be an understatement, playing nearly every minute at his disposal since his breakthrough. Because of the possible absence, the team will have to shuffle their lines again to accommodate.
This could give Nelson a chance to come in from the start and Arteta praised him before the match. He told the media at the pre-fight press conference: “First of all, availability [contributed to Nelson’s consistency].
“You have to be available to find consistency. If you miss periods, your top form is disrupted and you have fewer opportunities to play. He was scrappy before the season, was out and is now finding form. We need him. He has the special qualities to play in wide areas – in both positions – and especially in the situation we have now with the forwards, he will be really important.”
It remains to be seen if he will get a chance to shine or if it will be injuries that hold him back. However, it is clear that with the current tight lineup, everyone must be counted when they call.