Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka didn’t start the 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest at the weekend due to a minor knock.
The 24-year-old did come on for the final half hour at the City Ground, but speaking after the match, Arteta said:
“Bukayo had a lot of minutes and he had a niggle before the game, so we need to manage our players.”
With Noni Madueke waiting in the wings to start, there was clearly no need to risk Saka’s fitness.
Expected Return Date – Tuesday 20th January vs Inter Milan (a)
Piero Hincapie
The defender picked up a groin problem during the 0-0 draw against Liverpool earlier this month.
Hincapie has missed three subsequent games against Portsmouth (in the FA Cup), Chelsea (in the Carabao Cup) and Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Speaking last week, Arteta said he did not know how long the Ecuadorian international would be sidelined for.
As Hincapie has not returned to training yet, it is assumed that he will be unavailable for the Inter match, at the very least.
Expected Return Date – Unknown