Injured Saka doubtful Man City game as Henry hail him as Arsenal’s best

After being forced off during the first half of a Champions League loss to Lens on Tuesday, Bukayo Saka is a doubt for Arsenal's crunch clash against Premier League champions Manchester City

Mikel Arteta has painted a glum picture regarding Bukayo Saka's chances of featuring in Arsenal's Premier League showdown with Manchester City on Sunday.

The England winger lasted only 34 minutes before he was taken off during Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League loss away to Lens. The Gunners are due to host Pep Guardiola's side at the Emirates Stadium this weekend in a match that's likely to have a big tilt in the title race, with only one point between the two teams.

However, Saka looks unlikely to be a part of the hosts' plans after Norwegian journalist Arilas Ould-Sada quoted Arteta saying his star's injury 'doesn't look good'. Fabio Vieira came on as his replacement in Lens, and Arteta now faces a difficult decision ahead of a crucial clash against City.

Arteta told reporters at the post-match press conference: “He tried to backheel a ball in the first half and felt something muscular. He felt uncomfortable and 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. I have no clue [if he can make the weekend].”

When asked if Saka required convincing to play on during such a busy part of this season's schedule, the manager replied: “No, he was really looking forward to playing like every player. It was a big Champions League night."

Arteta had faced pressure to rest Saka, who has already been carrying injuries this season after an Achilles problem affected him late last term. And the manager was blamed by some fans for refusing to bench arguably his most valuable asset with the City clash around the corner.

The Spaniard also went on to suggest Tuesday's setback was not related to any of those previous injuries suffered by the player and was 'a knock' more than anything. However, that may not be enough to simmer the frustrations of those fans upset that he featured at all in midweek.

Arsenal's loss in France saw their unbeaten season end at the 10th hurdle, with goals from Adrien Thomasson and Elye Wahi overshadowing Gabriel Jesus' opener. The north Londoners remain undefeated domestically, but title nemeses City will pose a major threat on that record come Sunday.

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has delivered his verdict on Saka after he limped off with an injury in the Champions League last night.

After the game, Jamie Carragher asked Henry about Saka’s injury.

The legendary Frenchman replied on CBS Sports: “You can obviously be surprised away from home in the Champions League. It happened to me, happened to you,

and happened to everyone around the table. It’s tough to win away from home in Europe.

“Now, you lose, it can happen, but also it looks like you might have lost Bukayo Saka.

“People were talking about Rodri not playing at the weekend – suddenly, you don’t have your, for me in my eyes, the main man at Arsenal right now, playing against Man City at the weekend.”