Bukayo Saka's fitness has been a major talking point ahead of England's World Cup bid, but the Arsenal star is adamant he's ready to fire on all cylinders despite ongoing Achilles concerns. The 24-year-old forward, who's been under close observation from manager Thomas Tuchel, still managed to make an impact off the bench in England's recent friendly against Costa Rica.
Saka's injury woes date back to March's Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, which ruled him out for seven consecutive matches at Arsenal. Since his return, he's only completed 90 minutes once across five appearances, often being substituted before the hour mark in high-profile games like the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
When quizzed about Tuchel's reservations over his fitness, Saka expressed unwavering confidence in his recovery. "I don't want to say anything that contradicts the manager," he said. "But between Arsenal's medical team and England's medics, they've managed me like a finely-tuned machine since March – helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team." He added, "I'm feeling better than I have in months. I'm ready to go!"
For Saka, playing through discomfort is a calculated risk he's willing to take, labelling it "the biggest gamble" in sport. "At the end of the day, people don't care about your feelings – they expect you to deliver," he said. "I'm happy to take that gamble and make it pay off." With Saka feeling more confident than ever after helping Arsenal secure their first Premier League title in 22 years, he's raring to go.
Should Tuchel decide against risking Saka in England's opening game against Croatia, Noni Madueke could be an alternative on the right flank. Alongside Madueke and fellow squad members Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze, who were all granted additional rest after Arsenal's Champions League commitments, Saka believes their recent success has instilled "more confidence and freedom" within the team – a feeling that will undoubtedly serve them well in the World Cup.
On the sidelines, John Stones is set to start his 25th consecutive tournament game for England, despite being used sparingly by Manchester City this season. The 32-year-old defender, who previously considered hanging up his boots, is determined to contribute to England's cause and prove himself once more – saying, "I've always reflected on the struggles I faced as a kid... I fought and that's what I do, and I feel as good as ever before this tournament."