Bukayo Saka should be alright to face Manchester City despite an ongoing injury problem forcing him out of England duty this week.

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Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (L) and teammates warm up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 9, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka pulled out of the England camp earlier this week with a muscle problem, with reports at the time suggesting it was a precautionary measure.

Football insider Team News and Ticks has confirmed that the decision was largely precautionary, explaining that Saka has been carrying an injury for a long time now.

England didn’t think it was worth putting the player under more pressure for a couple of friendlies, so they opted to send him back. The decision was England’s and Saka’s, not Arsenal’s.

The good news is that the same source reports Saka should be fine to face Manchester City on March 31st.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

This is the final international break of the season, so it’s likely the last chance for Saka to get some rest before the end of the campaign.

Arsenal don’t have any throwaway games from here on out, just Premier League fixtures in a title race and Champions League knockout ties.

If the Gunners continue to progress in the Champions League, they could still have another 15 games to play this season, and they’ll want Saka to be involved in all 15 if possible.

After that, it’s off to the European Championships with England. So it’s in England’s best interests if Saka remains fit until the end of the campaign.

Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring his team second goal during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 30, 2024. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring his team second goal during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 30, 2024. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Saka has played 37 games for Arsenal this season, scoring 16 goals and assisting a further 13.

That goal contribution tally of 29 puts him far ahead of any other Arsenal player, with Martin Odegaard the next closest on 16.

If Arsenal are going to have any chance of beating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, beating them to the Premier League title, and beating them to the Champions League final, they’ll need Saka to play his part.