Arsenal’s talented forward, Bukayo Saka, will not be gracing the pitch in England’s upcoming matches against Australia and Italy due to an unfortunate hamstring injury. This news follows his absence from Arsenal’s recent Premier League triumph against Manchester City, a match he missed due to the same injury.

The Football Association (FA) has officially confirmed Saka’s withdrawal from the national squad after he underwent assessment by England’s medical team. As a result, there will be no replacement for him in the squad, which currently comprises 25 players.

England is scheduled to face Australia on October 13th, followed by a European Championship qualifier against Italy four days later. However, the absence of Saka is a significant blow to the national team’s preparations for these crucial matches. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, provided insight into Saka’s condition after Sunday’s game, stating, “No, he will not make it. He has not trained for a single session.” While Arteta refrained from specifying the exact duration of Saka’s absence, he made it clear that the young talent is currently unfit for competitive football.

Saka’s absence from Arsenal’s recent match against Manchester City marked the end of an impressive streak. He had played in 87 consecutive Premier League games, showcasing his talent and consistency as a key player for the club.

The hamstring issue has troubled Saka in recent weeks, with notable incidents during Arsenal’s 2-1 Champions League loss to Lens and in last weekend’s victory against Bournemouth.

England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, had emphasized the importance of safeguarding players’ physical well-being and stated that no risks would be taken with Saka. Despite the crucial qualification stakes for the European Championship, the priority remains the long-term health of the players.

“We’ve got that responsibility of qualifying for the country, but I’ve been a player. I’ve never ever taken a risk on a player’s physical wellbeing, and nor would I,” Southgate emphasized, highlighting the trust that exists between national teams and Premier League clubs regarding player welfare.

With Saka sidelined due to injury, England will look to regroup and prepare for their upcoming challenges without one of their promising young talents. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.