Bukayo Saka may play for Arsenal as early as Thursday’s Europa League match against FC Zurich after Mikel Arteta allayed concerns about the England winger suffering a major injury.
After suffering an ankle injury during the Gunners’ 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Saka had to leave the game early.
That raised doubts about Saka’s chances at the World Cup, which will begin in Qatar in a little more than three weeks.
Have fun reviewing movies and drinks
However, Arteta said Saka has returned to training and is available for selection as his side aim to secure top spot in Europa League Group A and a place in the last 16.
“Bukayo just missed one or two (training sessions) and he was fine today,” said Arteta at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
“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.”
But Arteta dismissed the suggestion he has a responsibility to balance Arsenal’s interests with his players’ dreams of representing their nations at the World Cup.
“Every day I feel responsibility to protect them, to guide them, to get the best out of them,” added Arteta.
“But we are playing for Arsenal at the moment and that’s what they have to focus on.
“When they played for England or their national teams they have to focus on the national team and on England and this is what we have to.”
To assure finishing ahead of PSV Eindhoven at the top of the group, Arsenal must defeat the Swiss champions.
Arsenal’s involvement in the title fight for the first time in seven years, though, could influence Arteta’s decision to travel to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
With two more league games remaining before the World Cup break, Arteta’s team leads Manchester City, the reigning champions, by two points at the top of the standings.
