Bukayo Saka was a surprise absentee from the Arsenal starting line-up for their disappointing 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and Mikel Arteta later revealed the reason
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal
Bukayo Saka is dealing with a "niggle" (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka was unable to start at Nottingham Forest due to a "niggle", according to MIkel Arteta. Saka was a surprise omission from the Gunners' line-up on Saturday evening, with the sheer weight of games beginning to take its toll.
The Premier League table-toppers were held to a 0-0 draw at the City Ground as they failed to make the most of Manchester City's 2-0 defeat by Manchester United. Arteta started with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli alongside Viktor Gyokeres, with Saka and Leandro Trossard on the bench.
Both were introduced in the second half, but Arsenal could not find a way past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels as they increased their lead over City to seven points, instead of nine. Saka came on in the 57th minute for Madueke and forced Sels to claw out a header.
But with a trip to play Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday and a home Premier League game against Manchester United on Sunday on the horizon, Arteta's post-match words are potentially a cause for concern.
"Bukayo had a lot of minutes and he had a niggle before the game so we need to manage our players," Arteta said. "We have some fantastic players that can provide different things and we did try it from the beginning, we tried after half-time as well, taking more risks and bringing in even more players in those attacking options. We tried in every way and it wasn't enough unfortunately."
Asked about changing his wingers and whether that decision was taken because the number of games recently had 'caught up with' the players, Arteta said: "Yes, a lot. Obviously, they had a lot of minutes. So we need to manage our players, and we have some fantastic players that can provide different things.
"And we did try from the beginning. We tried after half-time as well, taking more risks, and bringing even more players in those attacking options. And we tried in every way, and it wasn't enough, unfortunately."
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta talks to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka could not find the winner for Arsenal on Saturday(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal's squad depth was evident against Forest as Saka, Trossard, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus came off the bench in the second half. But the five fresh players couldn't make the difference as the home side held on for a valuable point in their fight against relegation.
"We came here to win the game and we haven't managed to do that for different reasons," Arteta said. "It's a credit to them because they are really well organised and they are really good at breaking momentum when you have certain dominance in the game.
"But the players had four massive challenges as well, with Martinelli on open goal, Declan Rice attacking, Mikel and the header of Bukayo.
"And on top of that, obviously, a very clear penalty in the box that has not been given. So, without conceding a single shot on target, again, the fact that we haven't won the game is disappointing. And on top of that, I think we can do things better in certain attacking areas."
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