Bukayo Saka has insisted he is ready for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia despite ongoing concerns over the Achilles problem that affected him during the closing months of Arsenal’s title-winning season.
The Arsenal winger has been carefully managed by both club and country since March, with England boss Thomas Tuchel recently suggesting the 24-year-old is not yet in a position to start and finish every match.
Speaking ahead of England’s tournament opener, Saka praised the work of Arsenal’s medical staff and England’s coaching team in helping him recover.
“Between Mikel and the Arsenal medical team and Thomas and the England medical team since March, they’ve managed me amazingly,” Saka said. “They’ve helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team.”
The forward admitted he is still working his way back to full sharpness but made it clear he feels significantly better than he did earlier in the year.
“I’m feeling better than I felt in the last few months and I’m ready to go,” he added.
Saka also spoke about the challenge of playing through discomfort, something he experienced during Arsenal’s run to the Premier League title and the Champions League final.
The England international acknowledged that elite footballers are often expected to perform regardless of their physical condition.
“People don’t really care how you’re feeling,” Saka said. “I’m happy to take that gamble and it paid off, I’d say.”
The Arsenal star arrives at the World Cup after experiencing both triumph and disappointment during an emotional end to the club season.
Mikel Arteta’s side secured their first Premier League title in 22 years before suffering heartbreak in the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Saka admitted it was important not to allow that setback to overshadow Arsenal’s achievements.
“It was an amazing feeling winning the Premier League,” he said. “With the Champions League, it was important not to let that loss allow us to forget what we’d achieved as a club.”
Attention has now turned fully towards England’s World Cup campaign.
“I’m here with England, I’m at the World Cup and that’s all the focus is on,” Saka explained.
The winger believes Arsenal’s successful season can benefit England’s chances of challenging for the trophy.
“For myself and the other boys that came from Arsenal, we have a confidence and a freedom that we can approach the World Cup in,” he said. “I think that will definitely improve us and make us play better.”
Saka is also on the verge of reaching a personal milestone, sitting on 49 England caps ahead of the tournament.
However, the Arsenal academy graduate is refusing to focus on individual achievements.
“The main focus right now is winning the World Cup and being my best version of myself for the team,” he said.
Saka will now hope to translate those words into action as England begin their bid for World Cup glory.