Arteta gives prickly six-word response about Saka: ‘We can send the MRI scan’

Mikel Arteta insisted Bukayo Saka's recent thigh injury was real and told a reporter the club can show his MRI scan after the Arsenal star withdrew from England's Nations League squad two weeks ago.

Saka played a crucial role in the Gunners' inspiring 3–0 win over Nottingham Forest, scoring once and providing an assist to Thomas Partey for their second goal.

The 23-year-old has now scored four goals and eight assists in 11 Premier League games this season – only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has more goal contributions (14).

Saka was substituted in the 81st minute during Arsenal's last match against Chelsea before the recent international break.

It's only November, but the winger has already missed more games for club and country this season (nine) than he has in three other campaigns in his career.

Saka has a reputation for being physically strong. He has been one of the Premier League's 10 most fouled players over the past three seasons but has only missed five games for Arsenal in this period.

This prompted a reporter to ask Arteta whether his star's withdrawal from the England squad was legitimate.

He started by referring to Harry Kane's disappointment at nine England players being left out of Lee Carsley's final squad during the recent international break.

The Three Lions captain argued that duty to their country is of paramount importance and must take precedence over any club obligation.

The reporter then asked the Arsenal manager if Saka was actually injured, implying that the club may have asked him to feign an injury to spare him from a possible injury while playing for his country.

“We can send the MRI scan, very simple,” Arteta replied defensively.

'But that is a communication that was very clear between the Arsenal medical staff and the national team.

'He didn't do anything. He was gone and he needed time to heal. He has done one training session.'