FWIW I don't think anyone's particularly excited about the Saka situation.

Not meeting up with England (good) but hope the injury isn't too bad. Hasn't trained since Lens, which I don't really know what to read into.

Considering he was originally in the squad am hoping this is just a precaution. Also he could do with a couple weeks off, has had a few little knocks recently.

Southgates an idiot, he doesn't need Saka for those games and has the room to rest him. He should be thinking about Sakas levels at the actual tournament.

BBC have just reported that England have confirmed Saka will be unavailable for international duty in this window.

On the other hand it could be a worry that the injury might be worse than we thought. Hope he recovers well.

Honestly, what would have happened if they'd said he was fit? I wonder how this whole topic was as handled between Gaz and Mick...

    Don Pacifico if they say he's fit then they can play him. Arteta has no way to stop it, if we push the issue we could be fined and player could be suspended.

      Clrnc I don't think he technically can. I remember someone getting in trouble with their nation over it, think it was Kante, the French threatened him with some sort of sanction. Most nations wont call out their players like that. Roy Keane always did it to Ireland, Giggs to Wales, etc but I think they can pursue punishment if they want.

        Hasn't Southgate effectively banished Sterling and Pope for the same reason?

        But yeah, nations have a right to inspect the players themselves when clubs claim they're injured.

        2 months later