Bukayo Saka injury latest as Arsenal tipped to land Liverpool target | Football | Sport

Arsenal triumphed over Newcastle in a thrilling match on Sunday, reinforcing their position as serious contenders for the Premier League title. Bukayo Saka sustained a nasty wound during the game and could soon be joined by an England colleague in north London if Wayne Rooney’s prediction proves accurate.

Mikel Arteta‘s squad have had a challenging time at St. James’ Park in recent seasons, but Gabriel’s last-minute header secured them a 2-1 victory on Sunday. Saka was back in the starting line-up for the win and he displayed a bloody battle wound after the match. The Gunners started the game without central defender William Saliba, who came on at half-time. Rooney believes that Arsenal will aim to strengthen their defence by targeting Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. The 25-year-old’s transfer to Liverpool fell through on deadline day and his contract expires next summer. Another Arsenal defender, Jurrien Timber, has been quite optimistic about his team’s chances of winning the title, as Express Sport brings you the latest news from the Emirates.

Bukayo Saka discusses Newcastle wound

Saka had been out of action with a hamstring problem since August, but he returned to the Premier League starting line-up against the Magpies. However, it wasn’t his hamstring that was injured following the 2-1 win, as he revealed a wound on his ankle during a post-match interview.

In an interview with Stadium Astro, Jermaine Jenas questioned Saka about his bloodied sock, an injury sustained following some aggressive play by Newcastle players in the opening period. He revealed details about the treatment he endured, though Saka remains available for Champions League action midweek.

“You can see my ankle! But coming to this ground, you know what to expect, it’s going to be a battle,” he said, pointing to his ankle. “The best team won today and we got what we deserved.

“There was a point towards the end of the game where I was on the bench and it felt like it was going to be that feeling again; that we played well but something went against us, the penalty decision, but we’d played well. That’s why in the changing room we was so happy that we turned it around.”

Arsenal tipped to enter Marc Guehi race

England defender Guehi appeared destined to become a Liverpool player on deadline day but due to Palace’s absence of a replacement, his transfer fell through. He now possesses numerous possibilities available to him, including penning a pre-contract arrangement with a foreign club in January or transferring elsewhere on a free next summer.

Whilst Arne Slot‘s team will hope to finalise a deal for Guehi when his contract runs out, Manchester United legend Rooney believes that the Gunners and their London counterparts, Chelsea, will challenge Liverpool for his services.

“I think he [Guehi] is a special player,” Rooney said on his The Wayne Rooney Show. “He’s a good size, he’s not the tallest, but he’s good in the air, he can play with both feet, he’s aggressive, and I think he’ll be a real top player over the next few years.

“Will he be at Palace? I really doubt it. I think he’ll have options and I think not just in England, in Europe he’ll have options. I’ve just got a feeling that Arsenal and Chelsea might come in and they might try and take Liverpool out of it.”

Jurrien Timber confident about title prospects

Following Arsenal‘s triumph over Newcastle, which has positioned them second in the table just two points adrift of pacesetters Liverpool, defender Timber believes his squad possesses all the qualities and mentality required to claim the championship.

“The belief is there. I think we showed that. The character from this team is amazing and I will never doubt that and hopefully we can keep going like this,” he said.

“The season is so long, when you look at the schedule it looks like a tough beginning – it was a tough beginning – but it does not look like it will be easy now. It’s going to be tough, the games will still be tough. Last year we dropped points and lost to West Ham at home so next week will not be easy.

“If you want to win the Premier League, you know it’s going to be a long season. You have to stay close at the top – and not just close for this week. Next week it’s the same thing – and we have to keep going.”