Bukayo Saka and Arsenal are hopeful that he’ll be fit to face Bournemouth on Saturday, despite withdrawing from international duty with a hamstring concern.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England reacts as he leaves the field to be substituted after receiving medical treatment to an injury during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England reacts as he leaves the field to be substituted after receiving medical treatment to an injury during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Jordan Campbell reports for The Athletic that Bukayo Saka is hopeful he’ll be fit to face Bournemouth on Saturday, after he had to pull out of the international break with a hamstring problem.

Campbell adds that Saka is still being assessed by Arsenal’s medical team, and a decision on his availability this weekend hasn’t been taken yet.

In other injury news, the same journalist reports that Arsenal are still waiting to learn the extent of Gabriel Martinelli’s injury, after the player underwent an MRI scan on Sunday.

arsenal fc v leicester city fc premier league 8
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Speaking ahead of England’s second game of the international break against Finland, Lee Carsley had a cautiously optimistic take on the severity of Saka’s injury.

“Bukayo would have been close (to playing the Finland game) but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him,” Carsley said.

“He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Jude Bellingham of England looks on as Bukayo Saka of England goes down with an injury before being substituted during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Jude Bellingham of England looks on as Bukayo Saka of England goes down with an injury before being substituted during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Saka had suffered a hamstring injury during England’s first game of the break, coming off early in the second half.

The player could then be seen with a slight limp walking away from the game afterwards.

Arsenal face Bournemouth next Saturday, October 19th, then Shakhtar Donetsk the following Tuesday, October 22nd. But the big game coming up is against Liverpool on October 27th, just 16 days from now.

Given Saka’s form this season, with 10 goal contributions in 10 games for Arsenal, his availability against the league leaders could be vital.