Before Arsenal’s match against Manchester City on Sunday, it was widely reported that Bukayo Saka would once again defy the odds and line up for the Arsenal.

Alas, it was not to be, so what’s the prognosis for the most kicked player in the Premier League?

Bukayo Saka had not missed a game since the one against Newcastle in May, 2021.

Inevitably, his run of 87 consecutive Arsenal games, a club record and the longest in the division at present, has now come to an end. It was no surprise to anyone who has watched him kicked with impunity, week after week.

Speaking to the media before the game, Mikel Arteta explained why Saka had missed out.

“Well, he felt something and obviously you are tempted to risk him but he was unable to train yesterday”, he told Sky Sports. “So, that put him out of the game straight away.

“It is [a blow] but we know we lost players in the recent weeks and now we have adapted to it and obviously he is a really important player for us, there’s no question about that. But the team has to have the resources we have to make it.”

The ‘something’ that he felt was a tight hamstring.

Before the game, there had been reports that England had agreed to rest Saka for the first of their two games over the international break but it now remains to be seen if he will join up with England at all.

England play Australia in a friendly on Friday before facing Italy a few days later in a Euro 2024 qualifier.

Ideally, Saka would just sit this one out to ensure he’s fit for Arsenal’s first game after the break – Chelsea at Stamford Bridge just as Mauricio Pochettino’s side finally find some form.