Bukayo Saka has been pictured in Los Angeles while Arsenal undertake a training camp in the city, but he hasn’t linked up with his club teammates yet.

Bukayo Saka with a fan in Los Angeles (Photo via @afc_cat on Twitter)
Bukayo Saka with a fan in Los Angeles (Photo via @afc_cat on Twitter)

One lucky Arsenal fan caught Bukayo Saka for a picture this week, and the photo showed the winger hanging out in Los Angeles.

That puts the 22-year-old in close proximity to his club teammates, who are currently training and playing pre-season friendly matches in LA.

Yet any hopes that Saka might make an early return to training are likely to be dashed.

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY: Bukayo Saka of England celebrates scoring the team's third penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at DĂĽsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY: Bukayo Saka of England celebrates scoring the team’s third penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Football.London report that Saka isn’t expected to formally report back to training until early August, which is consistent with Arsenal’s official stance that the England international will link up with the squad when they return from America.

Saka is simply enjoying his holidays in California, and if he stops by and says hello to a few of his teammates, it will be on his own time.

That’s no bad thing, with the winger needing some time away from football this summer.

Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on April 6, 2024. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on April 6, 2024. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Saka played a regular role for Gareth Southgate’s England team at the Euros as they reached the final this year, with that final match taking place on Sunday, July 14th.

It hasn’t even been a full two weeks since Saka’s last competitive appearance, his 59th appearance in the last 12 months for club and country. He’s earned a break, and Arsenal will just have to do without him for another week or two.