Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on Bukayo Saka following the club’s 4-0 Premier League win over Leeds United at Elland Road.
The Gunners returned to winning ways in the league with a convincing victory earlier on Saturday. Noni Madueke was the man of the match with a couple of assists.
The Englishman was initially named on the bench for the encounter, but made the starting XI instead after Bukayo Saka picked up a minor hip problem in the warm-up.
Speaking after the victory, Arteta revealed that the 24-year-old had a ‘little niggle’ and was not comfortable starting. This contributed to Madueke getting the nod.
He told Arsenal.com: “In the warm-up, he had a little niggle, he wasn’t comfortable starting the game, so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni in.
“And he was ready, because you cannot do that in two minutes. The way he prepared, the way he’s waiting for opportunity, I think it paid off today because he really impacted the team.”
Arsenal went into the game on a three-match winless league run. The club faced a potentially tricky challenge against Leeds, who had lost just one of the previous 11 top-flight matches.
The Gunners delivered the perfect response with a comfortable 4-0 win. Saka’s injury absence was a big worry, but Madueke stepped up to register his first two league assists for the club.
The former Chelsea attacker had a tough outing against Kairat Almaty where his final passes were poor, but stood out against the Whites with a couple of terrific crosses into the box.
Madueke should have had another assist or two if Arsenal were more clinical from corners.
Arsenal’s immediate focus will turn to the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea. The Gunners have a 3-2 lead after the first leg at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.
Barring a surprise recovery, Madueke looks poised to continue on the right wing ahead of Saka. The 23-year-old will be motivated to make his mark and help Arsenal secure a final berth.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com