Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has, on Saturday evening, provided an update on the wellbeing of star attacker Bukayo Saka.
Youngster Saka, of course, was forced out of proceedings prematurely earlier today, when the Gunners welcomed Manchester United to the Emirates for a crunch Premier League clash.
After going to ground with what appeared to be a muscular problem, the English international was left with little choice but to make way, limping off to be replaced by Rob Holding.
Substitution…
? @RobHolding95
↩ @BukayoSaka87Fantastic work today, Bukayo ?
? 3-1 ? (74)#ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/afoRjuuvQR
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 23, 2022
Alarm bells, in turn, quickly began to sound across the Arsenal fanbase, with Saka having emerged as one of the key members of the club’s squad across the campaign to date.
Speaking to the media on Saturday evening, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his gifted young winger’s fitness was put to Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners boss, though, was keen to keep his cards close to his chest, albeit whilst admitting that Saka actually headed into proceedings against United in possession of a minor issue:
“Bukayo was struggling even in the first half of the match, but he really wanted to do it. He had a big knock the other night, and as soon as this, he was struggling, so let’s see how he is.”
? https://t.co/cckOHhGs0b#AFC https://t.co/w0istDPuI2
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) April 23, 2022
Xhaka seals triumph
Saka’s injury concern, of course, comes after the 20-year-old played an integral role once more on Saturday, en route to Arsenal securing a vital three points amid their ongoing pursuit of a top-four berth.
After a bending strike on the part of the Gunners’ academy product culminated in Nuno Tavares opening the game’s scoring with just three minutes on the clock, Saka soon turned goalscorer himself, slotting home from the penalty spot for the 2nd game in succession:
It goes from bad to worse for Man Utd…
Alex Telles was judged to have fouled Bukayo Saka, who made it 2-0 from the spot after VAR intervened. pic.twitter.com/FO01aaKEoD
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 23, 2022
And Saturday’s hosts made sure of victory 20 minutes from time, when Granit Xhaka drove a stunning long-range effort beyond the clutches of David de Gea:
WHAT A HIT FROM GRANIT XHAKA ?
A moment of quality when Arsenal were looking weary…
Big, big moment. pic.twitter.com/AjubZ1P0Sw
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 23, 2022
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