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Mikel Arteta provides injury update on Bukayo Saka after Burnley game

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on Bukayo Saka following the club’s goalless draw against Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday.

Saka was handed with a fourth-straight start at left-back in the injury absence of Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney, but he was substituted at the interval after struggling with an apparent fitness concern.

As a result, Granit Xhaka was deployed in a makeshift left-back position for the second half of the game and the Swiss came up with a credible performance as the club shared the spoils at Turf Moor.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Arteta revealed that Saka had picked up a knock in his knee and hip and his condition would be assessed over the next 24 hours.

“He had a knock in his knee and his hip, so we will see. I think in the last 10/15 minutes he was carrying his injury. We decided to substitute him because he wasn’t feeling good, so tomorrow we will know how he is,” he said.

Saka was able to carry on after picking up the knock during the midway stage of the opening half and Arteta will be hoping that the teenager has avoided any significant issue and will make the Newcastle United clash in two weeks’ time.

Still, the Gunners graduate may not receive the assurance of a starting role in the defensive position hereafter, given Sead Kolasinac is due to return to training after his thigh strain during the winter break.

Meanwhile, winter signing Cedric Soares can also fill in on the left side of the backline. The Portuguese is currently working on his fitness after overcoming a knee injury picked up last month.

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