Bukayo Saka eases World Cup fears by returning to Arsenal training - in pictures

Winger was forced off with an ankle knock in win over Nottingham Forest but is in contention to face Zurich in Europa League, Arteta says

Soccer Football - Europa League - Arsenal Training - Arsenal Training Centre, London, Britain - November 2, 2022 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka during training Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Couldridge

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus on November 2, 2022 during training as the Gunners prepare for their Europa League clash against Zurich. Reuters

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard. Reuters

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, right, and Bukayo Saka during a training session at the Arsenal Training Centre, Hertfordshire. PA

Arsenal's Reiss Nelson, left, and Gabriel Jesus during a training session at the Arsenal Training Centre. PA

Arsenal's Ben White. Reuters

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Reuters

Arsenal's Reiss Nelson, left, and Gabriel Jesus. PA

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, right, watches on as Bukayo Saka warms up. PA

Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny during a training session. PA

Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu, left, and manager Mikel Arteta. PA

Arsenal players take part in training. PA

Arsenal's Reiss Nelson, second left, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Rob Holding. PA

Bukayo Saka allayed fears he could be a fitness doubt for England ahead of the World Cup by returning to training with Arsenal on Wednesday, three days after going off injured early in a Premier League match.

The 21-year-old winger was forced off midway through the first half of the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday after taking a kick to the ankle. The injury came just over three weeks before the World Cup begins in Qatar.

Saka practised at Arsenal's training base ahead of Thursday’s home match against Zurich in the Europa League. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Saka could be in contention to play in the game.

“Bukayo just missed one or two [training sessions] and he was fine today," Arteta said. “We’re using our brains and our common sense, but obviously he had a kick. He was uncomfortable with it. We made the decision to get him off and now he’s feeling fine.”

Arteta was involved in a heated touchline debate with both Saka and club doctor Gary O’Driscoll, and explained Saka was trying to play through the pain before the decision was made to take him off.

“The conversation was easy — ‘He’s in, or he’s out’ — but in between we can’t have a player [injured] for five, six, seven minutes,” Arteta said.

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