Arsenal news: Medical expert predicts ‘big changes’ amid Bukayo Saka latest
The Premier League could in future allow players like Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to play despite a positive Covid test.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Saka, 20, tested positive on international duty and was forced to withdraw from the England squad, as relayed by Sky Sports last Friday (25 March).
It is unclear whether the wide man has returned a negative test ahead of Arsenal’s meeting with Crystal Palace next Monday (4 April).
But Dinnery predicts that the Premier League could in future allow players to play on with the virus.
“It’s very difficult unless we go back to the days when we kept players in bubbles, in a closed environment,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“It is part of daily life now. Even with the most strict protocols in place, there are going to be flare-ups.
“The Premier League will continue to test but Government protocol is slightly different in the general population.
“Players do have to self-isolate and remain away from the group. But lateral flow tests are now taking precedent over PCR tests.
“Whether that will continue remains to be seen. But there will be big changes.
“I think there might be a general acceptance that, even if you are positive but are asymptomatic, you might go out and play and get on with things.
“But at the moment when you do still have to self-isolate, you don’t want to lose your best players.”
England beat Switzerland 2-1 and the Ivory Coast 3-0 in the recent international friendlies.
Saka has 10 goals and five assists in 33 appearances for his club this term.
In other news, Arsenal tipped to sign Youri Tielemans in £35million deal after confirmed news.