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Bukayo Saka reveals new Arsenal fitness update after Liverpool substitution

Back with a bang: Bukayo Saka scored an excellent goal on his return from injury for Arsenal (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Back with a bang: Bukayo Saka scored an excellent goal on his return from injury for Arsenal (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka has offered a new update on his fitness after Arsenal’s thrilling Premier League showdown with Liverpool.

The England winger had remained a huge question mark for Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated clash between title rivals at the Emirates Stadium, having missed each of the last three games across all competitions with a hamstring injury suffered on international duty with England earlier this month.

However, Saka proved his fitness in time to start against Liverpool to offer Mikel Arteta’s side a major boost, opening the scoring with an excellent goal inside 10 minutes of a pulsating 2-2 draw in north London.

It was an accomplished display from the 23-year-old, who gave Andy Robertson a difficult afternoon as he featured for 85 minutes before being replaced by young midfielder Ethan Nwaneri after Liverpool had equalised for a second time though Mohamed Salah.

Arsenal will be desperate for Saka to now stay fit ahead of a crucial period in the season, with the Gunners - who now sit third behind leaders Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League table and five points off the top - having high-profile games against the likes of Preston, Newcastle, Chelsea and Inter Milan coming up.

And fans will be relieved to hear that the Gunners winger - the youngest Arsenal player ever to score 50 Premier League goals, eclipsing the great Thierry Henry - is feeling back to full fitness as he insisted that he could have finished the match if needed.

“I’m feeling good, I felt like I could finish the game but obviously the gaffer took me off. I feel good,” Saka told Sky Sports.

Asked if his celebration against Liverpool was inspired by Henry, Saka said: “Everything is Thierry Henry-ish. If you score it’s Thierry Henry, if you assist it’s Thierry Henry.

“He has every record Thierry Henry, so it’s nice. You want to win the game, but I have to be happy with this [record].”