Bukayo Saka gives honest ‘it killed me’ injury admission after Thomas Tuchel lays down gauntlet

Bukayo Saka has had a stop-start season for Arsenal and the England winger has now admitted he is far from his best after returning from a hamstring injury

Bukayo Saka has confessed that he’s not yet back to full match fitness, despite netting in three consecutive games after missing one month with a hamstring injury. The Arsenal winger sustained the problem during a victory over Leeds United in August, causing him to sit out the next five matches for both club and country.

The 23-year-old made his comeback to Mikel Arteta’s squad for the 1-1 draw against Manchester City in mid-September, stepping onto the pitch at half-time after Noni Madueke was taken off because of a knee injury.

He was back in the starting line-up for the journey to Newcastle United a week later, but was substituted on the 70-minute mark with Arsenal hunting for a way back into the match. Given his lengthy absence, it wasn’t surprising that he was taken off early.

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However, Saka soon started contributing goals again, finding the back of the net in the closing stages of the 2-0 Champions League victory over Olympiacos. The Hale End academy graduate then scored from the penalty spot in last Saturday’s win over West Ham United by the same margin.

Having demonstrated his fitness, Saka was called up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the friendly against Wales and the World Cup qualifier against Latvia. After scoring a fantastic goal in Friday’s 3-0 win over Craig Bellamy’s team, Saka spoke to journalists about his mixed start to the season.

“Obviously I started the season and picked up an injury, which killed me a bit but I’m starting to feel good again,” he said. “I’m still not at my sharpest, but I’m starting to feel good again and I’ve scored in my last three games, so I’m happy with that and want to continue in that way.”

Saka’s playing time would have likely been managed more carefully over the past few weeks had Madueke not suffered an injury just as Saka was ready to return.

After scoring his first international goal in 15 months, Thomas Tuchel sent a very clear message to Saka that he expects more.

“How many goals did he score for England?” Tuchel questioned. “13? One three? It has to be more, it’s not enough.

“He needs to keep on going. I thought it was 30, at least, and then I would have said it’s not enough, because I am never satisfied.

“He is such a threat for Arsenal in the most difficult league in the world, so why would he not be at international level? We have the position for him, he has the attitude, the stamina, the talent, everything to be a top player at international level, and that’s what he has to show.

“We can just encourage him to be influential, like he was today. Next game, he needs to try to repeat it.”

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