Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issues injury update on Bukayo Saka with Tottenham derby looming

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has remained coy about the injury Bukayo Saka suffered in Monday's 3-0 FA Cup win over Oxford United. The Gunners have comfortably booked a fourth-round meeting with Manchester City at Kassam Stadium, but Saka raised concerns ahead of Sunday's North London derby.

Some fans were surprised at the strength of the team Arteta fielded against opposition 58 places below Arsenal in the English football pyramid. Saka has joined Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli as key figures in this season's Premier League title challenge from Oxford.

There was even more nervousness when Arteta kept the No.7 on the pitch after Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah fired the visitors into a 2-0 lead after 70 minutes. And many fans' fears came true in the 75th minute when Saka was sent off for Emile Smith Rowe after being treated for a leg injury that appeared to be painful.

Nketiah added a second to cap off a successful evening for the Londoners, but concerns over Saka's well-being marred the result.

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However, after full-time Arteta allayed fears, albeit quite bluntly, saying the England international was in good shape for Tottenham's clash this weekend. He told ITV Sport: "Yeah he's fine. He'll be fine."

The news is a significant boost as Arsenal focus not only on Spurs but also on a crucial period in their promising campaign. After Sunday's derby, the Gunners welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium, with a much-anticipated Premier League encounter against Man City also on the horizon.

Arteta's side will face former mentor Pep Guardiola again in the coming weeks, with their victory at Oxford setting the stage for a fourth-round trip to the Etihad Stadium.

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Fabio Viera bolstered Arsenal's options for the Spurs encounter by showing his class against Oxford, providing two lavish assists.

And Arteta greeted him afterwards, saying, "He's got the quality. He's a really creative player.

"He has the ability to decide games in the final third, and when we found him in the right spaces, he made the difference."

Nketiah received the man of the match award for his brace, and his manager also expressed his 'delight' at his current form in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.

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