Bukayo Saka will be evaluated after he pulled out of England’s Nations League team, and Curtis Jones is also unavailable.
**Saka’s Injury Woes: A Blow for Arsenal and England**
In a significant setback for both club and country, Bukayo Saka has departed the England camp to undergo an assessment at Arsenal following an injury sustained during Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley Stadium. The talented winger limped off in the 52nd minute, clutching his right leg. A statement from the England camp confirmed that he will miss the upcoming Nations League clash against Finland in Helsinki on Sunday.
Saka’s absence is a potential blow for Arsenal as they aim to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. The 23-year-old has been in sensational form this season, most recently playing a pivotal role in the Gunners’ 3-1 victory over Southampton, where he notched a goal and provided two assists. His creativity and flair will surely be missed as Arsenal look to maintain their title challenge.
Adding to the challenges for interim manager Lee Carsley, Curtis Jones will also be unavailable for the Finland match due to a personal commitment. Jones had been called up to the squad on Wednesday following the withdrawals of Morgan Gibbs-White, Ezri Konsa, and Kobbie Mainoo. The Liverpool midfielder was poised to earn his first cap for the senior team after a stellar youth career, including scoring the decisive goal in the 2023 Euro U21 final against Spain.
Despite these setbacks, Carsley will be buoyed by the anticipated returns of Harry Kane and Jack Grealish, who missed the defeat to Greece due to injury. Their experience and quality will be crucial as England look to bounce back from a disappointing performance.
In the match against Greece, Carsley opted for a bold tactical approach, deploying Jude Bellingham as a “false nine” and fielding an attacking midfield trio of Declan Rice, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer. However, the experiment backfired as England struggled defensively, ultimately succumbing to a 2-1 defeat. Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis netted both goals for the visitors, including a dramatic late winner deep into stoppage time.
As it stands, England find themselves in second place in League B Group 2, having accumulated six points from three matches. The upcoming fixture against Finland will be crucial for the Three Lions as they seek to regain momentum in the Nations League.