Mikel Arteta gives Bukayo Saka injury update and defends selecting Arsenal star
Mikel Arteta defended his decision to play Bukayo Saka as the Arsenal winger limped out of their Champions League defeat to Lens. The Gunners had taken the lead through Gabriel Jesus but Adrien Thomasson levelled following a David Raya error before Saka hobbled out of the game. Lens would go on to win 2-1 courtesy of a second-half strike from Elye Wahi but it was the injury to Saka that will have concerned Arteta more. Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City visit the Emirates Stadium in five days and Saka’s involvement is now in doubt with the England forward having been forced off in the last three games. Asked if he regretted picking Saka following his issues against both Tottenham and Bournemouth, Arteta replied: “No. It was a knock that he had the other day and he was perfectly fine. It was a back-heel, an action that can produce that kind of injury. “Let’s see what the extent of it is and afterwards it’s too late. The last few were more knocks than anything else. “He hasn’t really missed games. We gave him a break against Brentford (in the Carabao Cup) last week and that was all. “He tried to backheel a ball in the first half and felt something muscular. He felt uncomfortable to carry on so we had to take him off. “We don’t know anything more. It was big enough not to allow him to continue to play the game and that’s a worry for us. “He was really looking forward to playing like every player. It was a big Champions League night. I painted a picture and the type of scenario we were going to face today and they all knew about it. “But this Champions League is so difficult to win away from home. Today we take a big lesson.” The defeat ended a forgettable 24 hours for Arsenal after bad weather grounded Arteta and his players at Luton airport for five hours on Monday as their journey to France was delayed. Now their hopes of avoiding a bumpy ride in qualifying for the knockout stages have also suffered a setback after a turbulent night at a rocking Stade Bollaert-Delelis. “No, let’s not put excuses,” Arteta said when asked if the preparations for the game had impacted on a poor team performance. “First of all, congratulations to Lens. They are a really good side. Really well coached. We knew it was going to be a really tough match. “In the boxes we had four or five chances we didn’t put away and we didn’t defend the boxes well enough. “It’s true there were moments in the second half we struggled to be more threatening in the final third and find spaces. “They defended with those numbers really good. That’s something to take for the next game.” Lens had started the season slowly but won their two Ligue 1 games leading into a first Champions League home game in 21 years and defender Kevin Danso was delighted with the outcome. “We gave it our all today in front of our own fans,” he said. “It was a difficult game, Arsenal had a lot of quality and made us sit back really deep, but we kept defending and kept our concentration. Luckily we won the game. “At home we know how strong we are, in front of our fans. That’s what we always try to do: win at home. I’m a bit gutted about the clean sheet, but we’ll take the three points definitely.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ben Stokes doubtful for England World Cup opener with hip injury Pierre Schoeman eager to extend ‘miracle’ World Cup beyond Ireland clash Martin Odegaard believes any team would miss injured Arsenal star Bukayo Saka
1970-01-01 08:00
Akshata Murty: Who is Rishi Sunak's wife?
Rishi Sunak's wife is a billionaire's daughter who has divided her life between three continents.
1970-01-01 08:00
Joao Felix explains difference between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid
Joao Felix has cited style of play as the key differences between Barcelona and his former club Atletico Madrid. The forward has joined Barca on loan for the 2023/24 season.
1970-01-01 08:00
Why Wall Street investors are freaking out
October has a long history of spooking Wall Street, and this week's market action is serving up a particular dose of terror for traders.
1970-01-01 08:00
Biden's FAA pick ready to face Senate confirmation hearing
When Michael Whitaker last worked at the Federal Aviation Administration, his tasks included bringing air traffic control -- which tracked airplanes using strips of paper -- into the 21st century.
1970-01-01 08:00
Shares in Scandinavian Airlines plunge to become almost worthless after rescue deal announced
Shares in Scandinavian Airlines have dropped more than 90% after the ailing carrier announced new shareholders in a restructuring scheme that will see the company delisted and existing ownership stakes erased
1970-01-01 08:00
Roundup: Grimes Sues Elon Musk; Kevin McCarthy Ousted as Speaker; Royce Lewis Leads Twins to Win
Grimes sues Elon Musk over parental rights, Kevin McCarthy ousted as Speaker of the House, Royce Lewis led the Twins to a playoff win and more in the Roundup.
1970-01-01 08:00
Bidgely Selected as 2023 S&P Platts Global Energy Awards Finalist
LOS ALTOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 4, 2023--
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Winn-Dixie supports American Cancer Society, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 4, 2023--
1970-01-01 08:00
Erik ten Hag: Andre Onana 'can be one of the best goalkeepers in the world'
Erik ten Hag backs Andre Onana to become "one of the best goalkeepers in the world" after a difficult display against Galatasaray resulted in a surprise 3-2 defeat for Manchester United in the Champions League.
1970-01-01 08:00
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill recalls Jamal Lewis and Callum Marshall
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has recalled Jamal Lewis and Callum Marshall to his squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against San Marino and Slovenia. O’Neill’s side play San Marino and Slovenia in a Group H double-header on October 14 and 17 respectively, with both games at Windsor Park. Newcastle defender Lewis, on loan at Watford, missed last month’s defeats in Slovenia and Kazakhstan through injury. Striker Marshall has forced his way back into O’Neill’s plans after scoring nine goals in 12 appearances for West Ham Under-21s. Midfielders Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock) and Paddy Lane (Portsmouth), defenders Eoin Toal (Bolton) and Brodie Spencer (Motherwell) and QPR winger Paul Smyth have all retained their places in the squad. Oxford defender Ciaron Brown has not been included after sustaining injury against Slovenia last month, while Blackpool striker Shayne Lavery and Portsmouth winger Gavin Whyte have also been left out despite recently returning from injury for their clubs. O’Neill will be without defender Craig Cathcart, who announced his retirement last month, while experienced midfielders Steven Davis (Rangers), Corry Evans (Sunderland), Stuart Dallas (Leeds) and Shane Ferguson (Rotherham) are still recovering from long-term injuries. Liverpool wing-back Conor Bradley and Nottingham Forest defender Aaron Donnelly are also unavailable through injury. Northern Ireland’s qualification hopes are over after O’Neill’s injury-hit squad slipped to five straight group defeats and the former Stoke boss is now building for the future. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00
Got packages to return? Starting Wednesday, Uber drivers will mail them
Uber is adding a new task to its list of services: mailing consumers’ return packages
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