How Arsenal could line-up vs Bournemouth if Bukayo Saka worst fears realised

If Mikel Arteta didn’t already loathe international breaks, he will now, with Bukayo Saka the latest Arsenal ace to go down injured.

Saka was substituted off during England’s humiliating defeat at Wembley Stadium against Greece with a suspected hamstring injury.

It’s another unwanted injury blow for the Gunners, given Martin Odegaard hobbled off while playing for Norway during the September internationals, with the midfielder yet to return from the ankle problem.

And with a mammoth run of fixtures on the horizon for Arsenal, starting away to Bournemouth immediately after the international break, Arteta could have some selection headaches to sort out.

Potential Arsenal XI without Bukayo Saka vs Bournemouth

Goalkeeper: David Raya

Things could really start to turn for Arteta if star man between the sticks David Raya picks up any kind of knock.

But for now, the Spanish goalkeeper is fit and firing, with Raya having been one of Arsenal’s standout performers so far this term.

Defence: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber

The ever-present centre-back duo for Arsenal, William Saliba and Gabriel have established themselves as one of the league’s strongest partnerships.

They’ll undoubtedly be involved against Bournemouth, with Jurrien Timber also expected to retain his spot in the back four, should the Dutch defender prove fit enough having sat out the international break.

Ben White is expected to be in contention after missing the previous four matches through injury and with the Englishman having had a further two weeks to rest up, he should be good for a return to action.

Midfield: Rice, Merino, Nwaneri

Midfield is where things start to get dicier for Arteta, given Odegaard is still absent from training and Thomas Partey is also struggling with a knock.

Declan Rice is the obvious linchpin at the base of Arsenal’s midfield three, with Spanish international Mikel Merino a potential option to partner the Englishman.

Merino made his debut for the north Londoners before the international break and would help to balance out Rice’s defensive workload in Partey’s potential absence.

Creativity could prove a problem for Arsenal, both in midfield and further up the pitch, meaning Ethan Nwaneri might be an outside shout for his first Premier League start.

Attack: Sterling, Havertz, Martinelli

Saka and Kai Havertz have a combined total of 14 G/A in the Premier League for Arsenal this season, which could spell problems if the pair aren’t available for next weekend’s Bournemouth fixture.

But while he might’ve pulled out of Germany’s squad for the October break, Havertz is expected to be fit and firing when the capital club head down south.

As for the gap left behind by Saka, Arteta has either the tried and trusted Leonardo Trossard or summer signing Raheem Sterling to pick from.

Sterling feels like the most like-for-like replacement, with Gabriel Martinelli hoping to continue his scoring form coming off the left.