**Mikel Arteta stressed that he must protect Bukayo Saka after opting not to start him in the goalless draw against Nottingham Forest.**
Saka was introduced as a second-half substitute for Noni Madueke, and explaining his decision not to start the 24-year-old, Arteta said: “Bukayo had a lot of minutes and had a niggle before the game.
“We need to manage our players. We have some fantastic players that can provide different things.
“We tried in the beginning and after half-time, taking more risk and even more players as attacking options.
“We tried in every way but it wasn’t enough unfortunately.”
Arsenal missed several big chances to take the lead, while Arteta also felt his side should have been awarded a penalty for an Ola Aina handball.
“We came here to win the game and we haven’t managed to do that for different reasons,” Arteta said.
“Credit to them because they are really well organised and really good at breaking momentum when you have certain dominance in the game.
“But the reality is we created four massive chances as well with Martinelli, an open goal, with Declan Rice, a tap-in, Mikel and the header of Bukayo.
“And on top of that, obviously a very clear penalty in the box that has not been given.
“Without conceding a single shot on target again, the fact we haven’t won the game is disappointing and on top of that I think we can do certain things better in attack.”